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It’s all change at The Stables Restaurant this month, but regulars at the popular Matakana restaurant can rest assured they remain in safe and familiar hands. That’s because three of the new owners have been running key areas of the business for well over a year already – John Wheeler (previously of Hammerheads, Wheeler and The Honest Lawyer restaurants) as head chef, Woody Richards on beverage and back office, and Kim Wojcik leading service.
Woody and John say that knowing the business from the inside means they were in an ideal position when departing owner Daniel O’Donnell decided to sell. “It’s been like the longest due diligence known to man.”
A fourth investor, Chris Cranshaw, is an Auckland-based entrepreneur, who has worked on several events with Woody and Kim, who gained their knowledge of events after running a resort in Asia and staging the Rhythm & Sands music festivals. At The Stables, it’s in the events area that the only major changes are being planned.
“The restaurant is already doing very well,” Woody says. “There’ll be new menus out before Christmas, where we’ll stick with Stables favourites, but also look at diversifying options across traditional New Zealand and contemporary styles.
“So, we’ll be maintaining the everyday business, and then bringing hospitality and events into it, incorporating everything here – families, the park, the markets, music – and bring it all together to capitalise on all we have and naturally grow the business.”
He says 2016 will see more activity-based entertainment and more big events, starting this New Year’s Eve. He is giving little away at this stage, but promises it won’t just be another music festival for 18 to 21 year olds.
“All I can say is that our point of difference from the usual New Year’s Eve is that we are going to cater for families, and there will be something going on from daytime onwards,” he says. “It’s all about the local community.”
