Thanks to enterprising local Alena Alex, people travelling on Kaipara Coast Highway between Kaukapakapa and Helensville can pull in to her drive-through and buy an excellent Meebz-brand coffee, which they can either take away or drink in Alena’s purpose-built gazebo. There’s even a day bed there for long-distance drivers looking for somewhere comfortable for a mid-journey nap.
The drive-through is open from 6.30am – 1pm on week days and 8am – 11.30am on Saturdays. The business has been going for only a few months but already Alena’s determination to use “good coffee, good water and fresh milk” has garnered plenty of regular customers, some of whom save time by paying for their coffees in advance (Eftpos is available) and by texting her when they’re on their way.
A qualified accountant whose dream was to leave Auckland city and live a peaceful rural lifestyle with her family, Alena chose this as her business because she loves coffee (she did a barista course before she set up), she really enjoys chatting with people and she is free to spend her afternoons in the garden, where she grows chemical-free fruit and vegetables and beautiful roses.
With the business going so well, in a move that will no doubt prove popular with her customers, Alena has acquired a permit to sell food and is now planning to add homemade, homegrown soup to the menu.