A much-loved Hamilton eatery is becoming a community hub
One of Hamilton’s favourite new eateries has entirely appropriate origins. The building now known as Hayes Common was constructed in 1945 and was home to a butcher, grocer and dairy. Since then it has been a studio for potter Tony Sly, and was more recently known as the Hydro Majestic Café. Now Lisa and Brent Quarrie, who also run the inner-city café River Kitchen, have re-imagined the space with designers from Material Creative. The space is complemented by identity design and branding from Alan Deare of Area Design. Bespoke details include handmade ceramics by Emily Siddell and hand-blown pendants by Monmouth Glass. The Quarries say they’ve had their eyes on the site for eight years.
“We live down the road and we knew exactly what we wanted to do with the space,” Lisa says. “It’s such a unique location and we hope to return it to being a bustling central hub for the community. It’s something we’ve always loved about cities like Sydney and Melbourne, with these fun local eateries with great food and a relaxed unpretentious feel about them.” You get the sense the building’s original occupants would be very pleased with how things have turned out.
Hayes Common
Cnr Plunket Tce and Jellicoe Dr, Hamilton
027 537 1853
hayescommon.co.nz
Words by: Megan Lyon. Photography by: Terry Winn.
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