Freehold Cafe and Restaurant Business For Sale
Lawrence, Otago, New Zealand



Lifestyle business in busy tourist town

Lawrence, a small town on the main road from Dunedin to Queenstown, was once one of the largest communities in New Zealand.

Gold was discovered at nearby Gabriels Gully in 1861 and the resulting gold rush brought over 11,000 people to the area, making Lawrence bigger than contemporary Dunedin.

Today, tourism is the gold that drives Lawrence. The town has a rich and colourful history and the connection with gold prospecting brings many visitors. Lawrence is also an ideal stopping place for travellers wanting to stretch their legs and have something to eat and drink. The town straddles State Highway 8, the main road that links Dunedin with Central Otago and the vineyards and adventure tourism attractions in Alexandra, Queenstown, and Wanaka.

The Lemon Tree Cafe and Restaurant is ideally located among the boutique shops and galleries of central Lawrence. It is a great place for coffee and cakes, a sandwich or a meal. Inside, the Mediterranean decor provides a warm and welcoming ambience and seating for 35 diners.

Courtyard with picnic tables, sun umbrellas, and flowers

Outside, the courtyard can seat a further 20 people for alfresco dining. The courtyard has flowers, herbs and lavenders – just the place linger on a warm afternoon.

With facilities like these, it's easy to see why this hospitality business is so popular with locals, tourists, and visitors from surrounding towns.

The owners of The Lemon Tree Café and Restaurant are running the business as a lifestyle and are only open for 30 hours per week. It has come onto the market because they want more family time with their two babies, and they are moving back to Europe.

The Lemon Tree Café and Restaurant is an exceptional opportunity for a couple who are looking to invest in an established business that offers both potential and lifestyle. Current demand indicates there is scope to extend the hours to include evening dining, particularly on the weekends, as well as operating the Cafe for 7 days a week.

Walk-in walk-out going concern business at the gateway to Central Otago

The Lemon Tree Café and Restaurant offers a varied menu, including excellent coffees, homemade breads and cakes, and daily specials.

Counter, servery, and blackboard menu

Peak business times are November through to April and May with additional patronage over the school holidays. It is usually quieter in June and July and starts picking up again in August. Since 21 January 2008, the Cafe has been opening 7 days a week. Turnover is expected to increase by an estimated 40% as a consequence.

Freehold premises

The Lemon Tree Cafe and Restaurant opened on 6 December 2004, following a complete makeover of the former Goldfields Dairy. The property (455 square metres) at 28 Ross Place comprises a street-side wooden building (132 square metres) dating from 1889, and an adjacent courtyard.

Cafe-Restaurant building and adjoining courtyard

The Café and Restaurant has a dining area with tables and chairs (seating 35 diners), a central servery, and a rear kitchen and service area. The courtyard has picnic tables with sun umbrellas.

There is potential to further develop the premises. A new kitchen and toilet facilities (one with wheelchair access) were added in the 1990’s before the makeover of the café in 2004. There is scope for an additional building at the rear of the Café to provide live-in accommodation for the new owners.

The rateable value is $250,000, and includes parking for two staff vehicles at the rear of the Café.

Leasehold Option:
The owners are also prepared to offer a leasehold for the business - price $139,000, to approved purchasers.

Assets being sold

A complete list of all fittings, fixtures and chattels being sold is available. This business is equipped with top of the range equipment and everything is in place for the new owners to start trading from day one.

Day to day management