Milford News

What's NEW in MILFORD?MILFORD

Murray Hill

Milford's on top!

It’s official! Milford is the top town centre on the Shore! - (Sales) May 2021.

Wow! It’s been a while coming, but we’ve finally done it. Taken over as the Top Sales Town Centre on the North Shore. Thanks to all our loyal customers who have stuck with us during Covid and its aftermath. To those of you who aren’t shopping here – why not try us out? We’ve got a great range of wonderful businesses that offer a mix of national retailers and unique family businesses.

Gee – things just keep getting better in Milford. After revealing that another major retailer is to open in the old ANZ bank premises around September/October, I can now advise that yet another major national brand will be opening a large format store in the Milford Centre. Work started on demolition at the site of the old Morgan’s restaurant recently and seems to be continuing at pace.

I cannot reveal the names of either of these businesses – only say that when the announcement is made public, you will have more good reasons to shop in Milford. Today as I write this column, I heard that the last remaining shop in Shakespeare Road is undergoing a new fit-out. That only leaves the old Westpac premises empty, but I understand there are interested parties for this site also. They just have to sign on the dotted line. Exciting times for Milford!

Milford App

On the opposite page you will see what the Milford app looks like on a mobile phone. If you haven’t already signed up to it, I suggest you do. All new store openings and locations, special offers and things to do in Milford will be sent to you through this marvel of digital technology.

Calling all Milford groups, clubs, and neighbourhoods. We want this app to let everyone in Milford know what’s going on in their community. So if you’ve got events, fundraisers or gatherings organised, contact me through the app as follows: • Go to ‘Milford Store Directory’ • Then ‘Milford Shops Directory’ • Then the three bars at top of screen • Press ‘Contract’ and add details of your local event, etc there.

We want this Milford App to be the one place you go to for everything to do with Milford.

As a bonus, look out for weekly competitions throughout July in the ‘Get Discounts and Competitions’ section. If you are already registered, you’re automatically in the draw for these prizes, But... you can get more chances by adding your name and where you shopped every time you support our local businesses.

If you are new to Milford or want to know what clubs are in the area: • Go to ‘What’s On’ • Then ‘Local Publications’ • Then ‘Milford Residents Association’ • Then ‘Community’ • Lastly ‘Groups & Clubs’.

We want this to be the community’s ‘Go-To’ place for everything happening in our wonderful Milford community. It you have any ideas about things that we should add or change, send me an email at manager@milfordshops.co.nz.

Murray Hill, Manager – Milford Business Association, manager@milfordshops.co.nz | 021 950 463, www.milfordshops.co.nz facebook milfordshops instagram milfordnz youtube MilfordshopsTV

And don’t forget we now have 4 Touch Screens located throughout the town centre that also have all the information you are ever likely to need about MILFORD

TITANIUM THE MILFORD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF:

GOLD

Local Life

In Channel Magazine we love highlighting people in our community who make a difference. Two local Devonport Peninsula people, Kate and Lauren, have created ‘Local Life NZ’ a social media entity doing similar online. We love what they do, so we’re now collaborating with them to include content in Channel Mag. This month they profile Imogen, Grace from Canton Chinese Healing, Jose and Dorreen Fernandes from Clarry's as well as Vondel and other Devonport eateries.

Imogen

“The best thing about Devonport is that it is really fun and has great bread. The bread from Baked is really chewy. I also really like getting ice cream and chocolate milkshakes from White’s Dairy. “I love riding my bike around Devonport and saying hi to all the people and seeing them wave back at me. There are so many fun things to do. I like going to see Josie at her cafe at Narrow Neck. She sometimes has dog treats tucked into her apron and gives them to my dog, Ludo. She even painted his picture and put it on the wall of the cafe. I made a painting one day called ‘Cat with a Red Face’ at the Flagstaff Gallery and Cary framed it and put it on the wall and invited me back for a special art showing. The price she wrote down for it was ‘priceless’. “Last year was good. I’m grateful for food and water and for having a family and house and for my dog Ludo.” — Imogen, bike-rider, painter and bread lover, age 6

Grace

"I'm afraid of needles, so as soon as I lay down on Grace's treatment table, I shut my eyes. The chatter in my brain subsides and I begin to relax as Grace expertly places acupuncture needles around my body. I feel so lucky to have found such an experienced practitioner. Grace Mai, originally a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor from Guangzhou, China, has been an acupuncturist for 28 years, most of them here in Devonport. I first came to Grace for a frozen shoulder, which she fixed. Then for lower back pain and the foot that I dropped a drawer on. I came for the sharp pains in my chest that the doctors couldn't figure out. She didn't quite fix that, but she made it a lot better. "We laugh about that now. How during those treatments, I cried harder than anyone has ever on her table. Not because acupuncture needles hurt, but because, as it turns out, if you love someone and they are on the other side of the world dying, and you can't get to them, you can feel it in your body. "But with time and a little Grace, you can make it through." - Lauren Canton Chinese Healing Centre, 2/67 Lake Road, Devonport, Auckland

Clarry's

There’s something warm and comforting but also exotic about Clarry’s with its blend of

Portuguese and Goan cuisine, including Portuguese tarts, butter chicken pies and Goan curries.

But it’s cakes that are Jose’s signature dish, and he can make any shape or flavour, and for any occasion. Jose’s creations feature carefully detailed designs with his Gingerbread House a

Christmas time festive favourite. Jose learnt his trade as a pastry chef in India and then moved to work on Disney cruise liners, turning out fancy pastries and desserts for passengers the world over.

Jose Fernandes and his wife Doreen are a long way from their native Goa, but they’re creating a taste of their homeland in their Devonport-based ‘Go Goa’ eatery. Jose arrived in New Zealand 14 years ago and since then Auckland has been home for him and his family. He worked at the

Devonport Navy Base before starting up ‘Go Goa’ just before Covid-19 struck last year. OUR PLACE Stories of Local Life Clarry’s is the informal cafeteria for the Devonport Walking Group which calls in three times a week for coffee after their walks around the local area. It’s a home away from home for many of the walkers, and Pat (with dog Sheikha) often helps Doreen out with serving coffee and clearing tables. Clarry’s Go Goa Eatery, 3/18 Clarence Street, Devonport, tel 09-445 4173 Open seven days and also available for catering and cake orders

If you have a story you would like to share or know of a local hero, contact Kate Dobbin & Lauren Lulu Taylor at hello@localifenz.com

Follow Local Life NZ on Facebook and Instagram – @LocalLifeNZ “We’re all in this together. Laura Foote u are a bloody legend!! Oh Hannah you really are wee shining light in this dark time for many. Keep glowing n growing you special woman you. Thank you Sam for your welcoming smile, a joke or song. You cheer up my day. Sam is such a delightful and special human being who goes out of his way to be helpful to everyone. Poems, politics, saving the world are but a few of his attributes. Love the Patriot, guess that makes me a Patriot! We as a family have been going there for around 25 years. Amazing how little we need and how much we have. Ron- I know this man and what a privilege that is. I have many happy memories of this lovely Vic theatre, used to visit in the late 50’s - early 60’s. I’m a big fan of Devon on the Wharf. Nigar is very welcoming and warm hearted. Nilesh & Dosa- They are just lovely human beings, love them. LOVE Paradox books! A wonderful selection of books and great service always and ambience. It’s not what you do that’s important ...It’s the passion you do it with! Thanks so much for the yummy croissants Alan. Can’t wait to claim the table again on Wednesday mornings. Sam is wonderful and my dog Ivy is absolutely besotted with him. Sam, you are a legend ... such a star and we hope you keep on shining your bright light. Thank you for being you.We love Whites. Legends. Brilliant ♥ lovely! Amazingly inspirational. Laura- a very special uniquely gorgeous being ♥ One of Devonport’s unsung heroes! Laura’s positivity is inspiring. Just simply the best! Love this all the way! The Pub looks (and is ) Amazing. Well said Ken. You’re a good man ♥ Some of my favourite people right here! Kate Walden Ben Walden Bill and Gerri, two big hearts. Making a huge difference and changing lives. ♥ ♥ Thank you Kashish & Sam, you’re both so friendly and helpful, every time I walk in I feel so welcomed. Wonderful...there are some great people out there… It just goes to show how valued you are in the community Josie. You provide us a happy place to come to.” OUR PLACE Stories of Local Life

Late in 2020 we published a book “OUR PLACE” featuring 50 Local Life stories from our community. The interest saw us sell out of the first two print runs so we did a third run. We still have a few copies left that can be purchased. If you missed out and are interested in a copy then email us at hello@locallifenz.com. OUR PLACE – STORIES OF LOCAL LIFE DEVONPORT

The book is available for purchase at Paradox Books, Devonport for $30. LOCAL LIFE NZ

Foodie Finds is a monthly column by Kate Dobbin and Lauren Lulu Taylor which profiles local food producers and their products in the Devonport area. If you have suggestions of products or producers for us to consider, please email Kate on kdobbin7@gmail.com or Lulu at Lulu@secretkiwikitchen.com

Happy Hours to keep your spirits up

Nothing beats a good happy hour, and there’s something quite decadent about one that quietly slips in on a school night. Vondel in Devonport has taken the art of the mid-week happy hour to a new height with its Taco Tuesday Night -- you can get a plate of tacos ($7 each) accompanied by a delicious, salt-rimmed margarita ($12 each) every Tuesday evening (just when you should be catching up on your admin).

Recently voted one of Metro magazine’s Top 50 Bars in Auckland, Vondel spirits you away to exotic Central American climes with its choice of four different tacos -- owner Sam Bratton believes everybody should eat well, regardless of what their culinary preferences, so there’s always a meat, fish or seafood, vegetarian and vegan option on offer.

Our favourite is the pork kimchi which comes packed with pickled wong bok, garlic,ssamjang sauce and mustard dressing. Full of fingerlinking flavour, the tacos are served separately but it’s great to share a mix with the table. We also adore the pulled jackfruit taco with crispy shallot, mesclun and aioli. Jackfruit is that curious chameleon food that’s actually a fruit but can take on the hearty flavour of pulled pork, especially when it’s cooked.

In the drinks department, we love Vondel’s classic margarita best-- the clean crispness of it is a perfect pairing with the tacos -- but for those of you who are looking to meld more flavours, they also offer pear and blood orange.

Taco Tuesday night

A selection of happy hour specials and offers in Devonport includes:

Fish Kitchen: Sunday all-day Oyster Happy Hour, oysters $2 each Vic Road Kitchen: Friday Oyster Happy Hour 4-6.30pm, oysters $2 each. Wed-Sun Happy Hour Special 4-6pm (house white and red wine $9, all tap beers $2 off). Esplanade Bar: Every day 5-8pm, all tap bears $8.50 and selected wines (happy hour price list on request) The Patriot: Wednesday from 5pm, two for one offer on all meals. Friday 4-7pm, 25% off every beverage including top shelf. Hemingways: Thursday/Friday 4.30pm-6.30pm house wines and selected beer $7 Vondel: Tues-Fri 4pm-6pm, house wines $10, tap beers $2 off, aperol spritz $12 Tiny Triumphs: Tues-Fri 4-6pm, $2 off house beer and wines

Vondel, 8 Victoria Road, Devonport, Auckland 0624 09 446 6444, https://www.vondel.co.nz/ Opening hours: Tue-Fri 9am–late (kitchen opens 11am) Sat 9am-late, Sun 9am-late

NORTH SHORE’S FAMILY CLUB FOR SAILING, BOATING & SOCIALISING

• The best sailing waters in NZ • Conveniently located beside Milford Marina • Affordable membership • Sailing, Boating & Social memberships • Strong Junior Sailing Programme • Social events for members every week • Fantastic Venue for Hire

Milford Cruising Club, Craig Road, Milford

Email: milfordcruising@xtra.co.nz Phone: 09-489-6837 Visit: www.milfordcruisingclub.co.nz