Maree, Karin and Kristine.

The café at St Margaret’s Garden in Karaka is well known not only for its lovely setting but also for great food.

Now, café owner Maree Furniss has taken her considerable hospitality skills a step further by opening the delightful Butcher’s Shop Cafe in Patumahoe.

The new eatery occupies what was, for many years, the local butchery and the very business where her own grandfather, Richie Brady was taken on as a butcher’s apprentice by the Needhams in the 1940s.

While Maree’s family later turned to farming, the butchery continued to operate until about five years ago.

“It finally closed and was lying there idle when I decided to pursue the idea of turning the premises into a café-cum-coffee shop,” Maree says.

Typical butcher shop tiles complement the charming interior.

“I’d been thinking for some time that Patumahoe needed a daytime café, something in between the licensed tavern across the road yet not a full blown restaurant; just somewhere locals could pop in for a breakfast/brunch, or a coffee and chat with friends.”

Though opened only six weeks ago, The Butcher’s Shop Cafe with its history and character-filled setting is already a big hit.

Born, bred and still living in Patumahoe, Maree’s passion for her new business comes from knowing the district intimately and from 30 plus years of hospitality experience.

At front of shop (or café) she has effectively utilised the compact space by creating a leaner/ breakfast bar nook with bifold windows and bar stools looking to the outside complemented by two or three café tables and chairs.

However, she has also created a large a courtyard and function area at the rear which is partly covered and partly al fresco. It is sheltered, private and sunny.

Of added interest is the original double copper encased in a brick fireplace as well as snippets of history on the walls to provide a fascinating insight into the area.

Sheltered and sunny for al-fresco dining.

When it comes to food there is a tempting selection and Maree has employed pastry chef, Kristine, to turn out delicious treats which go down perfectly with barista Karin’s great coffee. In fact, all food is hand-made on the premises.

In addition to the tempting selection of cabinet food and a full coffee/tea menu, The Butcher’s Shop Cafe specialises in light meals including a hearty, all day breakfast which is available from café opening at 6.30am weekdays (kitchen closes 2pm, cafe closes 3pm) and from 8.30am on Saturdays.

The kitchen is also baking Christmas cakes for the festive season and these can be ordered now.

Maree herself, while still overseeing the café at St Margaret’s is focused on making The Butcher’s Shop Cafe a hard-to-resist venue for locals.