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Matakana fuel stop for sale
After more than four decades at the helm of one of Matakana’s best-known businesses, long-serving businesswoman Gay Smith has decided the time is right to step away, putting Gull Matakana on the market.
At 79, Gay says the decision comes down to wanting a change of pace after years of dedication to the business she and husband Mike bought 43 years ago.
“When we first took it over, sales were still being written down on a pad on the front counter,” Gay says.
“Back then, the station operated five-and-a-half days a week for most of the year, only opening seven days a week over December and January.”
Today, it’s a seven day a week operation, serving residents, tradies and visitors year-round.
“I am looking forward to the days of being able to do what I ‘want’ to do, rather than what I ‘have’ to do,” she says.
Over the years, Gull Matakana has become more than just a service station. Three generations of Gay’s family have worked in the business and the station has built a reputation for supporting community organisations and local events across the wider Matakana area.
“My hope is that the new owners will be local and will continue to be community focussed. It’s the sort of business that lends itself to being family-run.”
The sale includes the trading business, key assets and stock, although the land itself is not part of the deal.
The business is being marketed by Jayne Lusk of Barker Business, who says the station has shown strong long-term performance.
“Following a dip during covid, volumes are trending upwards with around three million litres sold last year across petrol and diesel,” Lusk says.
“The site has evolved over time, originally including mechanical and engineering operations, while the petrol station has remained a core local service.”
The business currently employs eight staff.
Although stepping back from the day-to-day running of the station, Gay and Mike are not leaving the district. The couple plan to remain in Warkworth, where Gay hopes to become even more involved with Kowhai Coast Lions.
The couple is also looking forward to spending more time travelling in their motorhome around New Zealand, as well as seeing more of Australia.
To read Gay’s story, go to: https://www.localmatters.co.nz/news/local-folk-gay-smith-businesswoman/
Vet ownership changes
Warkworth Vets is under new ownership. Directors Danny Cash and Jon Markin have sold the practice to Vet Partners, an Australian company with 18 clinics throughout NZ. Danny says with 19 staff, including nine vets, the business was getting too big to manage by two working vets. He says the sale relieves them of all the backend management and administration tasks, as well as giving them access to specialist services and better training opportunities for vets and staff. “But as far as customers go, they won’t notice a difference – it’ll be the same vets and the same level of service.”
If you have news of whose arriving, moving or just doing something interesting in our business communities, Puhoi to Te Hana, contact Jannette at gm@localmatters.co.nz
