The land and buildings which have sustained a popular community grocery store and takeaways outlet, as well as an adjoining famous ice cream outlet, have been placed on the market for sale.
The seaside Kuaotunu Store ice cream parlour in the peaceful and picturesque Coromandel Peninsula settlement of Kuaotunu has been famous for its enormous 10-scoop ice cream – known as the Kuaotunu Killer which features a huge helping of chilled goodness for $9.
Siting on State Highway 25 which connects Coromandel township approximately 29- kilometres to the west with Whitianga some 15-kilometres to the south, Kuaotunu’s residential zone is concentrated across approximately 3.62-square kilometres, and sustains an estimated resident population of some 250 people.
Jointly trading as the Kuaotunu Store café, the dual grocery shop and ice cream parlour premises is now being sold as ‘vacant’ – but with substantial internal fittings and commercial food service and retailing equipment included in the offering and available to purchase by negotiation.
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The 267-square metre grocery store/takeaways outlet and adjoining ice cream shop are two of only a handful of commercial business in the seaside town – with the other business including a pizza restaurant, café, campground, and a hairdresser.
The buildings sit on some 1,009-sqaure metres of land zoned residential which sits directly opposite Kuaotunu River and the pristine uncrowded beach.
During the peak summer season, the food and beverage fast food and lip-licking chilled offerings from the Kuaotunu Store fish and chip shop and ice cream parlour attract day-tripping patrons from the smaller surrounding beach settlements of Matarangi, Otama, Opito Bay, and Wharekaho.
The corner site land and buildings, but not the going concern business activities associated with the Kuaotunu Store and adjoining ice cream outlet sharing 16 Black Jack Road in Kuaotunu are now being offered for sale at auction on June 13 through Bayleys Whitianga.
Salesperson Josh Smith said the site offered a raft of future opportunities – from continuing to trade on the property’s food and beverage operations, through to development of mixed-use accommodation and retail services subject to council consent.
“Ownership of Kuaotunu Store and takeaways kitchen is very much a lifestyle business decision for those who understand how important a work/life balance is,” Smith said.
“It could also just as easily function as a managed business opportunity, or as a leased business investment proposition.
"The Kuaotunu Store is the ‘go-to’ destination for stocking a variety of rudimentary grocery supplies for local residents along the coast, along with alcoholic beverages, cabinet foods, refrigerated drinks, and of course fishing supplies.
“Extensive decking between the store and the ice cream parlour is a real attraction for visitors during the summer season – enabling them to sit around picnic tables enjoying ice creams or fish and chips.
“Year-round, the casual decking area under a canopy and overlooking a garden of succulent shrub plantings also acts as a neighbourhood community hospitality meeting ‘hub’ for locals who regularly enjoy the friendly beachside ambience of the locale over a coffee and muffin.
“Above the store is a very comfortable clean-lined Hamptons-style one-bedroom owner/managers residence with cathedral beam ceilings and outstanding views out to the sea from the open plan living area.
“The dwelling portion of the property could easily be let through the likes of Airbnb as a holiday home to increase returns from the property.”
The Kuaotunu Store’s compact fast-food kitchen is fitted out with commercial grade cooking and storage equipment – including a deep fryer, grill hob, oven, refrigeration units, and stainless-steel plating up bench space.
Across in the ice cream parlour are several ice cream display freezer display units.
Smith said that subject to council consents, the permitted mixed-use site could be redeveloped to make more efficient use of the landholding to potentially add more commercial accommodation options – with units having outstanding views over Mercury Bay and the Pacific across Black Jack Road.
The property has designated sealed parking for at least five vehicles immediately outside the buildings, with extensive public parking immediately across the road. The premises has access off both the main arterial route of Black Jack Road, and cul-de-sac Irishtown Road.
A consortium of residents within the local Kuaotunu community are actively pushing for the remote location to be internationally designated as a premium star-watching location to be recognised by the Dark Skies Association.
“Should this sought-after and much prized environmental status be acquired, it would certainly bring a whole new tourism dynamic to Kuaotunu – with the potential to operate virtually year-round during periods of fine weather,” said Smith.
- Supplied by Bayleys
