Capital Times, What's on in Wellington

winesale.co.nz

10 February 2012

The cat that got the milk

10/02/2010 10:22:00 a.m.

Damian Jones is thrilled with the new location of Meow Café.

Damian Jones is thrilled with the new location of Meow Café.

BEING given 60 days notice to vacate the premises was a blessing in disguise for Willis Street café owner Damian Jones.
Meow Café’s landlord decided he wasn’t keen on the café being there any longer.
“The only reason he really gave was that he’d found someone willing to pay three times the rent,” says Jones.
But the pain became worthwhile when the owner of a space Jones had his eye on accepted an offer.
Meow Café is now located on Edward Street (just a block from where it was).
“The old shop was tiny and run-down,” says Jones. “It’s great to have a ridiculous amount of space. We’re going to have live jazz on Sundays, and when the liquor license comes through in March we’ll be running dinners at night.”
The jazz, which starts this Sunday, comes in the form of regular customers from the old Meow Café, who have been playing music around town.
“There’s been interest from others as well. I’m always open to people coming in and letting me know what they’ve got to offer,” says Jones.
He says because the space is so big Meow now has twice as many staff.
Jones has been able to transform the area into a funky café, similar in the style to the old one, but with couches, old-school décor, and lots of tables.
“Businessmen come in the mornings and have meetings on the couches – we can have about six groups of people here having meetings at one time.”
The menu has also changed to take into consideration the summer season, and now all meals can also be made gluten-free.
Meow Café is open from 7am–5pm weekdays and 9am–4pm weekends. From mid-March it will be open for dinner until late.

Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

  • From police to employers chamber

    JOHN Wills has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Employers Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), effective immediately.

  • Save the Rhino

    A concert this weekend features local performers including Jomba, Skapiti, and Siggy. It is part of an international awareness day to support the petition to the South African government to stop rhino poaching. The Waterfront, Marine Parade, Raumati Beach, 11 February.

  • Jazzy clouds

    The first performance of  jazz musician Mike Nock’s choral work Land of the Long White Cloud will be sung by the Orpheus Choir at Soundings Theatre,  Te Papa, 18 February. It’s a free concert and only expected to last about 10minutes.

  • On board

    CONRAD Smith, the new Hurricanes captain has rejoined the team after an extended RWC break, in time for the sellout pre-season game at Managatainoka this Saturday.

  • Share the vision, free

    SIR Paul Callaghan a trustee of Zealandia, formerly the Karori bird sanctuary will give a talk about the vision and importance of the sanctuary for New Zealand. Rutherford House lecture theatre1, 5.40pm, February 13.

  • Indian art money

    MORE than a dozen locals are showing and selling their art, at that well known art space, Betty’s Bar on Blair St, to fundraise for the Karunai Dhan primary school in India. From 5pm, February 10.

  • Star signs

    INTERNATIONAL astrologer Faye Cossar, a former Wellingtonian is visiting the city to conduct workshops and a public talk. Cossar is unusual in that she holds a Masters degree in astrology. February 14.

  • The Great Outdoors

    GREATER Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme continues this week with a daughter, mother, grandmother mountain bike ride at Belmont Regional Park on February 12 and an evening guided walk from East Harbour Regional Park on February 8.

  • Swimming challenge

    SWIMMERS looking for a challenge can take up the long-distance summer swim challenge at Wellington City Council pools.
    Participants have until April 30 to swim or aquajog 53 kilometres, the distance equivalent to doing a circuit of Lake Mead in Nevada.
    The distance covered is recorded by pool staff and there are spot prizes along the way.

  • On your skates

    SOME of the world’s best skaters are in town for Bowl-a-Rama 2012, a week long celebration of skateboard culture.
    The competition is at Waitangi Skate Park on February 11, but there are additional events throughout from February 8 to 12, including an art exhibition by local and international skateboarders at 15 Courtenay Place.

  • Safer outdoors

    A new website has been created to make planning for safe outdoor activities easier.
    AdventureSmart,org.nz provides safety information and support for those planning land, snow, water, boating and air activities.

  • Sommerfest

    SOMMERFEST, Wellington’s family-friendly food and beer festival, takes place in the Worser Bay Boating Club on February 26.
    The annual festival offers a range of boutique beers matched with great food tastes.
    Breaking with tradition this year there will also be margaritas from 5pm.

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