Re:Burger coming to former bakery premises

Re:Burger owner Boris Reiber takes a break from fitting out his new business in Mosgiel. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE
Re:Burger owner Boris Reiber takes a break from fitting out his new business in Mosgiel. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE

A burgeoning burger business is set to open a branch in Mosgiel.

Re:Burger owner Boris Reiber, of Dunedin, said he spent his Sunday on the end of a crowbar.

He began dismantling the inside of a shop in Factory Rd in a bid to get his new business fitted out and open by the start of July.

The shop interior being demolished was The Cottage Bakehouse — a retail outlet of a bakery chain, selling food made in central Dunedin.

The Cottage Bakehouse had retailed from the Mosgiel shop for 15 years before closing on Saturday.

The decision to close came after a discussion between Mr Reiber and Cottage Bakehouse owner Tom Bullock.

The two men became friends since Mr Bullock gained the contract to bake burger buns for Mr Reiber’s Re:Burger restaurant.

Re:Burger owner Boris Reiber presents one of his creations outside his Albany St premises. Photo:...
Re:Burger owner Boris Reiber presents one of his creations outside his flagship Albany St premises. Photo: Shawn McAvinue

Mr Reiber opened his business in a food truck in late 2016, as sales soared, the business operation moved to a shop in Albany St about a year later.

Last year, Mr Reiber began searching for a location in Dunedin to open another Re:Burger restaurant, aiming to broaden the appeal of his business.

Mr Reiber floated the idea to Mr Bullock of him closing the shop in Mosgiel, so he could go into business with him to open a second Re:Burger on the site.

‘‘He thought, ‘Yeah, why not? Let’s do it . . .we both thought it was a great opportunity.’’

Mosgiel was packed with potential to run a business.

In a bid to attract families, the menu in Mosgiel would be revised to ‘‘meet the market’’.

The changes include smaller-sized burgers being available.

He originally designed the business inspired by the ‘‘grungy’’ street food scene in London.

The burgers served in Mosgiel would taste the same as those served in Albany St, and the image of the Mosgiel branch — for want of a better word — would be ‘‘cleaner’’.

‘‘We want to appeal to a larger audience.’’

The Mosgiel branch would employ nine staff — four full-time and five part­time — and would be able to seat about 20 people.

The dream was to expand the business further and open more Re:Burger restaurants outside Dunedin.

SHAWN.MCAVINUE@thestar.co.nz

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