Stockist Spotlight: Clevedon Gourmet

There is something pretty special about walking into Clevedon Gourmet. Maybe it is the smell of coffee and fresh bread first thing in the morning. Maybe it is the shelves full of good cheese, pantry staples, slices and cabinet food. Or maybe it is the fact that half the people inside seem to know each other already.

Owner Jenny opened Clevedon Gourmet almost three years ago, with their third anniversary coming up on June 30.

At the time, she was working in sales, living in Papakura, and regularly stopping in Clevedon for coffee. She had been looking at business ideas and thought the area could be the perfect place to sell some of the French cheeses she loved.

When she found out the lease for the old grocer-style store was becoming available, she could see the potential straight away.

“It needed a bit of TLC, but I could picture what it could become.”

Today, the store has a relaxed French country feel and has grown into a proper hub for the community.

More Than Just a Shop

Open seven days a week, Clevedon Gourmet runs from 6:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 5pm on weekends.

The team of nine make all of their own cabinet food, slices, cakes and sandwiches in-house, with everyone pitching in wherever needed.

There are plenty of regulars too. The local bus driver stops in after the school run for his coffee. People from nearby villages call in on their way through. Customers bump into neighbours and end up staying for a chat longer than they planned.

While Clevedon Gourmet does not stock a lot of fresh produce due to wastage, they do keep local lettuce on hand and can help with catering and pre-orders depending on what customers need.

One of Jenny’s favourite stories came during the Coromandel flooding, when a family needed food transported down to Pauanui for a wedding after roads were cut off. The bride and groom had to be flown from Whangamatā to Pauanui, and Clevedon Gourmet helped make sure the food still got there.

Fresh Volare, Four Days a Week

When it came to bread, Jenny says bringing Volare on board was a game changer.

“Getting Volare was a godsend because no other bakeries would deliver out here.”

Volare arrives at Clevedon Gourmet four days a week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – and is on the shelves before the doors open at 6:30am.

The most popular loaf is the San Francisco, while Hot Cross Buns are flying out the door at the moment. Sausage rolls and Morning Buns are favourites too.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Jenny says there is plenty happening in Clevedon, with more residential and commercial development bringing new people into the area.

“We’re seeing people come in and do a proper gourmet shop. They’re excited for this to be their local.”

And it is easy to see why. Clevedon Gourmet feels like the kind of place every small town should have – good coffee, good food, friendly faces, and a reason to stop in.

Worth the Trip

We love having Clevedon Gourmet as part of the Volare family.

It is the kind of place that feels worth the drive, whether you are passing through, heading out for a coffee and a wander, or making a day of it. Jenny recommends checking out some of the local walks and hikes while you are in the area too.

Clevedon still has that quaint, small-town feel that can be hard to find, and Clevedon Gourmet sits right in the middle of it all.

If you missed out on a home delivery this Easter, or you are outside our delivery areas, make sure you stop in this weekend. They will be well stocked with Hot Cross Buns.