The outgoing proprietor of a popular Arrowtown cafe believes its new owners will take it to another level.
Jane Shaw set up Provisions of Arrowtown in 2010, originally with a friend, in one of the town’s newly-restored, 1870s miners’ cottages.
She’s now sold the business to chef couple, Monika Ederer and Matthias Schmitt.
Originally from Germany, they arrived in New Zealand on working holiday visas in 2008.
They then spent 14 years at Waiheke Island’s Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant — she as pastry chef and he as head chef.
Schmitt says they had Queenstown friends they’d frequently visit for skiing holidays, before moving here early last year.
‘‘We thought, ‘oh, might be time for a change after living on an island for that long’ — we looked at businesses [there], but it’s still quite seasonal.’’
Shaw says she reached a point last year, when she was short-staffed, when she decided to sell — ‘‘it kind of took the joy out of it for me’’ — and is delighted at the calibre of the new owners.
‘‘These two are really talented chefs, they’re young, they’ve got energy, and the vision to pick it up and put their stamp on it and take it to the next level.
‘‘You need to keep improving — Arrowtown is becoming more and more a food and beverage hub, and you need to be at the top of your game.’’
Shaw, who in 2012 also set up The Boat Shed Cafe and Bistro, in an historic Frankton marina building, but sold it before Covid, says she’s thoroughly enjoyed Provisions.
‘‘We were really lucky to get the lease on this building.
‘‘There was nothing down that end of town, but right from the start the Arrowtown community really embraced us, and we just kind of got very firmly embedded in the community.’’
She also pays tribute to her team and her supportive hubby, Hal.
The new owners have launched a new menu, but, in case you’re wondering, the iconic sticky buns are sticking around.
