The former owners of Lone Star Dunedin and Joe’s Garage Dunedin have taken over as the owners of Best Cafe, something of a Dunedin institution, which is not far off 100 years of operation.
The couple said they were alerted to the fact Best Cafe was up for sale after selling Joe’s Garage.
‘‘We had no plans really. Just wanted to relax and had no real idea of what we were going to do. Then someone shoulder-tapped us about this place,’’ he said.
‘‘We knew a little about it and then came in for a meal. Had a look around and then took the plunge.
"We have run some pretty big places, but one like this now fitted with what we wanted to do.’’
The couple, originally from Christchurch, had the Lone Star for 16 years, starting in Princes St and then moving to its George St location in 2013.
They sold the business in 2018 and then bought Joe’s Garage, which they operated for six years.
Best Cafe was a contrasting operation, they said.
‘‘First year at the Lone Star it was seven days a week, 12 hours days. We had 70 staff to look after and organise. Hundreds of meals a night. So it was busy,’’ he said
‘‘Here is different. We won’t be making any major changes to what we have here. People like what we have and like telling us about it. We understand this place holds memories. Our role is to protect that.
‘‘We had 10 to 15 years of 21st parties. First week here we had two 93-year-old birthdays.’’
In the coming months, the couple plan to share stories and photographs from the cafe’s history.
The cafe was established in 1932 and they wanted to be there to bring up the century.
Bluff oysters were here to stay — they sold 500 dozen in the first three weeks.
They were pleased to remain in hospitality and it was in their blood.
‘‘We have been through ups and downs, two recessions, Covid, cost-of-living issues. It is tough for everyone, but we love it.
‘‘I think a lot of people love the idea of hospitality but it is different to what they expect.’’
