Nestled among tall trees at Omarama Airfield, the cafe offers an opportunity for people to sit and watch gliders set off and land in one of the world’s best soaring areas while also enjoying local food and coffee.
The husband and wife team opened the cafe doors in November after it had been closed for more than two years.
Mrs Hales said the cafe got off to a flying start.
"From Boxing Day onwards, it’s been nuts, it’s been good," she said.
The pair lease the cafe from Omarama Airfield Ltd, which shares ownership of the building with the Waitaki District Council.
The busy couple, who also run three other companies and a dairy farm, chose the cafe as it was only 3km away from their "Little Ben Dairy Farm".
A family affair, the couple’s two daughters, Charlotte, 11 and Toni, 10, also help out in the kitchen and serving in the weekends.
Mr Hales said despite the farm work and raising their daughters his wife wanted to pursue her dream.
"Jennie does all that and she always wanted to manage a cafe, so she’s doing that as well, she is crazy busy," he said.
Originally from the coastal village of Moeraki, Mrs Hales has worked in hospitality "most of her life" including at the Moeraki Boulders Cafe and Fleurs Place.
Although in the past the cafe had only opened seasonally Mrs Hales said they had installed a heat pump and hoped to offer dining options including "theme nights" in winter.
Making the most of the busy summer season, Mrs Hales said they were looking to offer a courtesy coach to pick up cyclists staying in "local spots" and drop them back to their accommodation again.
"I picked up nine cyclists the other day as they rang and said they were going to have to cancel their booking because they were on bikes and it was raining and I said I’ll come and get you, I’ll be there in five minutes," she said.
With about 30 gliders in the air daily, many pilots often taxi in to relax and "refuel" including Omarama Airfield Ltd chief tow pilot JR (John) Reed.
