It doesn’t rain but it pours
How true this statement seemed to be when not one, but two coffee outlets opened up here on the Peninsula within weeks of each other, joining a third outlet that had been operating for some time. However, that thought, about us being spoilt for choice, soon evaporated when we heard yesterday that the latter had filed for liquidation. And it wasn’t just the coffee outlet, a winery, but the whole complex, which also included a luxury resort offering accommodation and meals. This is terribly sad as it provided employment as well as a venue for entertainment, meals and coffees for the locals along with quality stays for the visitors. Included in the resort was a top-level golf course as well. This complex gave our area an edge and provided a good reason to visit the Peninsula and the beautiful beaches here.
However, this resort had always attracted controversy with many opposing the proposed developments. At one time, there was talk of building 800 units, along with a big shopping complex – the target – Chinese tourists. I saw the developmental model for this proposal when our gardening group was invited to view these plans. There were even rumours at one stage of building an international airport big enough to cater for these tourists, though I don’t know whether this was ever a real intention or not.
The Chinese-owners of the complex had also bought surrounding houses and the local camp ground and I don’t know if these are also up for liquidation or whether they will somehow be independent. But either way it is very sad.
The ideal outcome would be for someone with plenty of money to buy the Resort but whoever does so will have to negotiate with those opposed to this development. I am sure Covid has contributed to the Resort’s demise with a lack of visitors during that period of lockdown. However, it doesn’t help, when any ideas for expansion are met with opposition. I guess time will tell.
I have been one of the people to work at Carrington. Being only three minutes away, it was close for me to bring my table and do any requested massages. However, I stopped working there when I got sick in 2019. At the time, I was the only massage therapist on the Peninsula. I see there are two now. Yes, our population is increasing but I am not sure there is enough work for two of them, especially through those winter months.
That brings me to another point. While having two coffee outlets is great for us, I am not sure it will be so easy for the businesses. Having two, basically halves the potential income of each.
However, both will be a great attraction for those making daily trips out this way, especially in summer, when numbers swell. While I don’t actually drink coffee myself, I know there are many people who do and two coffee outlets will be a great incentive for some to visit.
It is interesting how our culture has changed in the last 20 or 30 years. Cafes and massage outlets are two things that have sprung up during that time. In the past, there were only a handful of cafes around and there certainly wouldn’t have been one in such a remote area. And any massage parlours at that time, were actually brothels.
As for these businesses starting up simultaneously, I am sure that the collective knowledge pool has been tapped into. With enough people thinking there was a need for such a thing, others have picked up on those thoughts and made them a reality. All I can say is good luck to any new business on our Peninsula. I will certainly support you when I can. Even though I don’t like coffee, I do like cakes!