Green, Greenhithe, healthy, fresh, organic, supportive of green suppliers are to name but a few of the inspirations that led to the naming of Greenhithe residents Julianne McDonald and Jenny Davis' new enterprise The Green Bean Café and Deli.

The location is great. When Jenny originally looked at starting or buying a business in the area she considered a share option in a restaurant being run in the old Collins House. The timing wasn’t right and they style of menu didn’t appeal. Options changed and she started down the track of not “could we” but rather “why shouldn’t we” have a successful, fun, friendly business based locally so that both mums could still be part of their children’s day. Rain or shine you will find Jenny on the school crossing with one of her daughters. Those who know Julianne will know she is involved in a number of roles within the school and the local community.

With 5 girls between them this could turn into a legacy family business similar to the old 3 Brothers Orchards in the early Albany days.

Months of hard work have paid off and on September 1st the two excited (and a little anxious) owners opened their doors for business. They need not have worried. Greenhithe residents having watched the renovations for months were quick to pop in and start sampling the wares.

Jenny believes the key to success is having the right staff on board. Hand selected, they have secured a talented and experienced crew in the kitchen. Monang is the Head Chef, you will know him and his food from his days as Head Chef for Altura, Sarah is ex Bella in Ponsonby and Ryan is a young graduate ready to make his mark as the pastry chef. The barista Ruth has had a very busy start  to the week grinding out loads of great tasting coffee sourced form Hummingbird Cafe in Christchurch, who supply New Zealand with fair trade, organic coffee beans from Ethiopia.

Covering the bases the Green Bean offers it all. A tasty and healthy menu for sit down meals with a good kids selection, takeaway options including frozen meals for busy families, delicious salads, artisan olives, home made pates and the not yet released yet eagerly awaited  plump corn fed, hot rotisserie chickens. If I think of all the families I know who dash home after late afternoon sport to try and get a hot meal together for starving kids the chickens will be the hit of the take out part of the business. A fresh vegetable and herb garden is being prepared out the back of the property so the café can serve and sell its own source grown produce, you cant get fresher than that.

Family, friends and supportive trades have all worked hard to help realise Julianne’s and Jenny’s dream. There was a lot of work to be done, far more than originally anticipated. Both admitted that the early days of getting the project up and running was daunting but neither felt like giving up.

The renovation is light, bright and attractive. Posy pretty the High Tea room is serene in green, a lovely touch the old plates hung around the room above the dado rail. This room is elegant and if you want a refined function this space would make a great venue. Definitely not nana.  The Deli is welcoming and open. You will probably know the staff by name if not by face as they are all local. The focus on this venture is definitely family friendly. There is a space for everyone. The dining room is sunny and welcoming. Next on the seemingly endless list is to develop the gardens for the customers to enjoy and to create a safe place for children to play while their parents sit back and relax.

Now that the business is open, I hope Julianne and Jenny have had a few moments to themselves to catch their breath, break open the bubbly and do a congratulations toast on what they have achieved to date while they continue to dream and plan exciting releases for the future.