By Helen Martin
Since moving to Kaukapakapa in 1993 Sarah and Bruce Legg have realised their dream of running dry stock and sheep, keeping chickens and growing much of their own food on their 21 acres.
The community also knows Sarah as the enterprising businesswoman who opened Riverside Crafts in Helensville, specialising in locally made arts and crafts, including her own gift baskets. She took an active part in the Helensville District Business Association, first as a committee member, later as President. Sarah’s activities promoting the area included organising street stalls for the Christmas Parade and Heritage Days, experience that stood her in good stead when the founder of the Kaukapakapa Sunday market wanted to move on – it was a logical step for Sarah and a friend to step in and take over. Sarah now runs the busy market single-handed. Every third Sunday of the month the Kaukapakapa Hall and its surrounds accommodate up to 80 stall holders, scores of shoppers, musicians and guests invited to do public readings in the adjacent historic library Sarah and her friend Megan Williams have revived.
Sarah also runs her own stall, where she sells her corrugated garden art and the specialist foodstuffs she uses to make up the attractive gift baskets which form another arm of her enterprise.
While it is apparent she has plenty to occupy her time, Sarah is currently expanding the gift basket business and is planning to extend her Helensville customer base to include areas like Kumeu, Waitoki and Kaukapakapa.
As Sarah explains, she makes her gift baskets to order so they are personalised according to the tastes and interests of the recipient. Real estate agents buying them for clients who have been successful in a property purchase, for example, will specify a value, size, and choice of contents appropriate to the specific occasion. “Most of the baskets’ contents are specialised items like crackers, nuts, chocolate, chutneys, relishes, drizzles, sauces,” Sarah explains. “I choose things that are specialist enough to be interesting but not so fancy that people don’t know what to do with them.” A plus for the client is that Sarah also does the delivery for local orders.
Christmas is a busy time for the gift basket business. It’s never too soon to order. To discuss a gift basket order contact Sarah on 0274 831542 or email sarah@riversidecrafts.co.nz
