The sleepy town of Palmerston will be sleepy no more, with the arrival of its fifth cafe.
The Welcome Swallow Bistro and cafe in the former post office building on State Highway 1 opened its doors last week.
The town, home to the famous McGregors Bakery and Tearooms, now has five cafes or restaurants, three of which have opened in the last 12 months.
The Station Cafe in the Palmerston railway station re-opened under new management last year and the new Coffee Cup Cafe opened last year.
They join McGregors and the Waihemo Lodge, which serves from an a la carte menu, in providing food and coffee. The cafe owners believe they all have a point of difference that will attract customers, while Waihemo Community Board chairman Geoff Foote says there will be plenty of custom from the occupants of the million or so vehicles that travel through Palmerston each year on SH1 and SH85.
''Many drivers travel a considerable distance before they reach Palmerston from the north, south, or from Central [Otago]. This makes Palmerston an attractive stopping point and the choices offered by the five cafes and restaurants will encourage more people to stop here.''
