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It has been a tough two weeks for Parāoa Brewing Co owner Zenice Gujarathi and general manager Sandra Kennedy since they announced the venue had been sold to Chemist Warehouse, with its last day of trading set for Monday, January 26.
The venue had been fighting to stay open after its on and off-licence renewal applications were declined by the District Licensing Committee (DLC) in September, following noise objections raised by a nearby resident. While Parāoa obtained a stay on appeal, Gujarathi says it proved the final straw for the venue, which had faced multiple hospitality challenges, including rising costs and declining patronage due to the weak economy over the past few years.
“But it’s been a real shock after putting in five years of hard work that we have to go,” he says.
The closure will result in the loss of about 10 jobs, and Kennedy says it also means there will be no live music venue of comparable size on the Hibiscus Coast.
“This place was really building and getting on the map as a music venue, and the community is losing a real hub because it has always been a blank canvas. We have had everything from wrestling and kickboxing to birthday parties and funeral wakes, quiz nights and bingo.”
Gujarathi and Kennedy say they are thankful for the support from the community so far. Looking back over the past five years, Kennedy says highlights included the many local and international bands that have performed at the venue.
“We had some amazing events here, from international bands and acts, through supporting and promoting young musicians and bands Rumpus Machine had their first start here as a pub gig.”
The venue also hosted events such as Stars of Ōrewa after-parties and acted as a venue for a darts club, poker games, karaoke, and line and Latin dancing, all of which now have to find new homes.
“We also supported a number of small breweries, and when we had a big act playing, people would come from out of town and stay at the local Airbnbs and local motels, so all the small businesses have lost that support as we were working hand in hand to help each other out.”
Doors close on Monday, January 26, and an auction of the venue’s contents will take place on Tuesday, January 27, via All About Auctions. More details are available on Parāoa Brewing’s webpage.
