New businesses: votes of confidence in economy
Laser Electrical changing and expanding
Golden Bay’s Laser Electrical franchise has changed hands. From 1 April, Lex Taylor and Paul Cruden will take over from Terry Nelson, but customers will enjoy a fair bit of continuity when the new owners take over.
“It has been a gradual process,” said Lex. “When Terry first mentioned the possibility to Paul and me a year or so ago we jumped at the chance to take over. Between us, we’ve got about 14 years’ experience working in Terry’s business, so we know what we’re getting involved in. It’s great that Terry will be staying on and contracting back to us as new owners.”
Paul said that he and Lex were expanding the services offered by Laser Electrical. “We’ll offer communications, home ventilation, alarms, Freeview TV and alternative power service,” he said. “Between us, Lex and I have the skill-set to cover this expanded service. As a locally owned business we are keen to offer everything our Golden Bay customers need.”
Laser Electrical employs six people, including the new owners, and they are in the process of appointing their administrative back-up staff. The business also currently includes two apprentices. The new owners say they are confident in the local economy.
Laser Electrical can be contacted on the same numbers as usual, or customers can visit their refurbished office and headquarters behind BP Takaka.
Neil Wilson
Brief Affair
Judy Binns brings plenty of experience in the lingerie business to her new venture, Brief Affair, in what used to be Interior Temptations in Commercial Street in Takaka.
Judy has been a Golden Bay resident for 15 years, but for most of that time she split her time between the Bay and over the Hill. She ran the Foxy Lady lingerie store in Nelson and opened another in Richmond. She says she is looking forward to being in the Bay full-time.
“I want Brief Affair to provide a complete shopping experience,” said Judy. “I’ll provide a service so that customers are happy with their purchase and happy with themselves as a result.”
Brief Affair opened last Tuesday with Bendon, Fayreform and Esona lingerie in stock. Judy also stocks made-in-New Zealand merino underwear and outerwear, and merino/possum garments. She also provides a range of slippers, gloves and robes as well as jewellery, some of which is imported from Israel.
“I’ve got a small range of unisex sportswear – shorts, socks, track-pants and rugby tops – as well,” said Judy.
Escape Adventures and Bike Shop
John Etherington and Mandy Richards are running their cycle tour company, Escape Adventures, from Golden Bay. Their new premises are near the car park at the back of the Aubergine Café.
“We can run our tour business from basically anywhere,” said John, “but we wanted to move to a nice small community to live. Somewhere with a decent climate and nice people. I come from Brightwater originally, so I knew about the Bay. Mandy and I have often thought about living here.”
The couple have a two-year-old son, Kier, and they say the move to the Bay was partly prompted by a wish to put down some roots for his sake. “I’m gone for about four to six months of the year, guiding our bike tours in Africa, South America, Asia and New Zealand,” said John. “Mandy tours when she can, but when we’re in the Bay we can share our time with Kier.”
John is a qualified car and bike mechanic and he says that the new headquarters of Escape Adventures will become a fully fledged bike shop next summer.
“It’s an ideal sideline to the touring business,” he said. “Our touring happens during our winter mostly, so we do the organising and planning over summer. We can be here doing that and running Escape Bike Shop as well. The two complement each other very well.”
Neil Wilson
