GB Weekly - 2009
Naked Possum Market Days Prove Popular
Country Market Day at the Naked Possum Café has become a regular event and is proving popular with locals and visitors.
The idea of holding a market so local people can sell their produce was conceived by co-proprietor Jocelyn Rae. “Business is always somewhat slower over the winter months, so I was trying to think of ways to encourage people to come to the Naked Possum. On market days we now have a steady stream of people coming to either sell produce or to browse the stalls.”
Customers can also take the opportunity to sit by the outdoor fire and have a drink or a meal.
Regular stallholders sell items ranging from vegetables and honey to cakes and arts and crafts, and in addition various forms of entertainment are often organised on market days. Recently, visitors were entertained by local singer and guitarist Tina Bridgeman.
Despite the winter weather, stallholders report excellent sales and by mid-afternoon many are nearly sold out. Local schoolgirl Molly Boult had only a handful of cakes left on her stall at 2pm. Donna Zeller, owner of Zellerbee honey, said that she was delighted to be able to sell so much of her product to the local market. In fact, local sales of honey have proved so popular that her company may have less to export next season.
This week, regular patrons were also delighted to see Grant Fitz-William, the other half of the Naked Possum team, enjoying market day next to the open fire, obviously well on his way to recovery after suffering a recent stroke.
Naked Possum Country Market Days will be held on the first and third Sunday of every month over the winter period.
Sarah Milligan
GB Weekly - 24th July 2009
Motueka-Golden Bay News - 2008
Cafe Wins Top Award
The Naked Possum Café owners Jocelyn Rae and Grant Fitz-William were “blown-away” to win the national Café Magazine’s award for the best café in the Nelson region.
Located at the end of a 2km gravel road at the entrance to the Kaituna Track in the Kahurangi National Park, the café’s unique atmosphere and its game food menu were among the reasons it was chosen for the award.
Café Magazine’s chief judge Michael Guy said that the café stood out as “something really different”.
“They deserve special recognition for stepping out and creating something that people really should try.” Mr Guy said.
Neither Ms Rae or Mr Fitz-William had previously run a café when they opened The Naked Possum 3 ½ years ago.
The café adjoins their rata tree nursery and possum leather shop containing products made in their eco tannery which reflects the couple’s philosophy of preserving the native forest.
“We were blown away to receive the award. It took us completely by surprise,” Ms Rae said.
“I think what makes us unique is the whole atmosphere and the outdoor fire.
“Also, our game food menu is hugely appreciated by people. It’s a point of difference,” she said.
And that passion for creating something different appears to run in families, for Ms Rae is the sister of Andrew Dixon, co-owner of the award-winning Mussel Inn.
“The family connection is we both have incredible passion for what we are doing and if you do something with passion it just shines through,” Ms Rae said.
Mr Fitz-William said the café’s campfire atmosphere encouraged people to relax more and stay longer.
“We work hard to try to make sure people have a good time and something nice to eat, and we always have really good coffee,” he said.
We have a totally different menu and venue from everywhere else.”
That uniqueness has contributed to the wider recognition the café has already achieved, featuring in national magazines, including North and South, Air New Zealand magazine and Cuisine. The café’s wild game menu has also featured on a cookery programme in the United States, after a TV chef visited the café last year.
When the Motueka-Golden Bay News visited, Barry and Margaret Ryan-Bell from the Bay of Islands sitting on the next table were impressed with the home-made venison pies with plum sauce.
“To have a café at this stunning location at the end of nowhere is a wonderful idea. It’s a real gem,” said Mrs Ryan-Bell.
By Hayley Gale
Motueka-Golden Bay News - 2008