Lizard News NOVEMBER 2023
FREE LOCAL NEWS... IN THE COMMUNITY
Te Puna • Whakamārama • Matakana Is • Ōmokoroa • Pahoia • Apata • Aongatete • Katikati • Tahāwai • Bowentown • Athenree • Waihī Beach
Village opens for business
By Matthew Farrell he Village Ōmokoroa has an official grand opening set for Saturday 11th November from 11am to 1pm, with free face-painting and Mr Whippy, The Hits radio station on site, and prizes up for grabs from the businesses who have made The Village their home. Some tenants have been up and running since October. Others have been racing to complete their fit-outs. The Village Green gastropub held a friends, family and tradies evening on Monday 9th October, before fully opening the following day. For local owners Billy Emeny and Sarah Merrett, Callum Armstrong and Ashley Armstrong-White, there have been a cocktail of emotions. “It’s like a wedding day having friends and family here. Everything has come together mostly in a mixture of relief and nervous anticipation. There’s a buzz of excitement; everyone is enjoying the food tonight and looks happy,” says Ash. Relief, too for Callum. “To see the end product and to be able to share this with the community, friends, and family is amazing. For people who have visited in the past week and asked questions, it’s something that is desperately needed and will be welcomed and well-received. Eight weeks ago, I sat on a bare concrete floor with the plumber. Now we are having a beer with loved ones and everyone who’s given a helping hand; it’s something special,” he says. Billy has enjoyed the process of his sec-
T
ond build after CBK in the city. “I’ve tried to enjoy the journey more thanks to Callum knowing the building side. Thanks to so many who have helped us. All the tradies and Classic Builders, too. Now we look forward to the challenge of serving the community demand, and we love the response,” he says. Sarah wants it to be a community hub. “This is for families, tradies, retirees. We want it to have a cross-community appeal where everyone feels they belong. We’re definitely glad to have the past two weeks behind us, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” she says. Ōmokoroa Property Management were also among the first to move into the new location. “Working from the home office has been fantastic in the early stages of our business growth, but lacks professionalism. We have been keen to move for a while now, so moving to the new premises is going to give us what we want to achieve: being the number one property management company in the immediate area with purpose-built premises for our needs, both now and in the future. “The Village looks lovely, with character and street appeal. Being involved in a new business community is quite exciting for everyone concerned. As the only resident property management company in Ōmokoroa, this next phase of our growing business in lovely surroundings, for us, is long overdue,” says owner MaryAnne Lenny.
Ōmokoroa Business Network members checking out available office space. PHOTO: Supplied.
Village Green hosted friends, family and tradies on 9th October. PHOTO: Hugo van Cingel / HJ Media.
Ōmokoroa Artisan Bakery provides a wide range of baked goods and hot drinks. PHOTO: Matthew Farrell.
Doctors Nick and Raewyn Sygrove bring more than 15 years of veterinary experience, offering a full range of clinical services after operating a mobile clinic since February. “We very much appreciate the Ōmokoroa community accepting us into their homes and entrusting us with their furpals’ care. We can’t wait to welcome the community here,” says Dr Nick. Mind Your Movement Pilates is expanding into The Village to offer more studio-style classes, reformer classes, wellness evenings and other events. “With more space, we’ll have more
equipment, including six reformer beds, a trapeze table, a spine corrector, Wunda chair, a mat and more,” says MYM’s Nicole Dixon. About 40 company owners and professionals attended an Ōmokoroa Business Network meeting on-site on Thursday 12th October. Diane Gill from Ōmokoroa Accounting thanked Ōmokoroa Artisan Bakery for the coffee and morning tea provided by Foster Group. Those attending heard from Tony Snow of Shared Workspaces about the possibility of joining the community to offer flexible office space.