Busy town centre liquor outlet for sale

The land and building housing one of the biggest and busiest liquor retailers in the seaside township of Whitianga has been placed on the market for sale.

The well-known property in the centre of Whitianga contains the highly popular Bottle-O liquor retailing business – encompassing a large shop, substantial warehousing facility, off-street parking for 10 customer vehicles, and a consented residential apartment.

Located at 27 Albert Street – which is Whitianga’s main retail strip delivering substantial foot and vehicle traffic seven days a week – the property comprises an approximately 350-square metre two-storey building set well back from the pavement and sitting on approximately 637-square metres of rectangular-shaped flat land zoned for commercial use under the Thames Coromandel District Council plan.

Bottle-O Whitianga is on a current six-year lease running through to 2031 with one further six-year right of renewal, as well as two additional four-year rights of renewal for a potential final expiry in 2045. The lease generates annual rental income of $50,000 per annum plus GST and outgoings.

Bottle O is one of New Zealand’s largest franchised liquor retailing chains, with some 104 locations across New Zealand selling the full gamut of beers, wines, spirits, RTDs, pre-mixes, and soft drinks across most price points. Bottle-O franchises such as the Whitianga business are locally owned and managed, allowing operators the ability to target product ranges and offerings specific to their local socio-economic customer base.

The prominent freehold land and standard design building at 27 Albert Street in Whitianga are now being marketed for sale at auction on April 17 through Bayleys Whitianga. Salesperson Josh Smith said the tenancy configuration of the property was valued by Bottle-O for catering to all aspects of the business’s operations under a single lease agreement.

“The ample car parking spaces at the front of the premises ensure a highly convenient service is available to customers visiting the large well-presented open plan and highly functional retail premises with its wide range of products on the shelves and in the multiple refrigerator and chiller units,” Smith said.

“The shop space is in turn internally serviced all under one roof by substantial warehousing at the rear of the site. A service lane to the rear of the property allows for the regular delivery of liquor products to be made without any exposure to the front retail portion of the premises used by customers.

“The high-stud warehouse comprises multiple pallet stackable shelving accessible through two high roller doors, and also accommodates an industrial sized walk-in chiller unit.

“Additionally, the fully consented upstairs apartment is occupied by Bottle-O staff, and while contributing to income, it doesn’t entail any operational involvement as it is operated by the lease holder.

“The apartment above the Bottle-O store comprises a two-bedroom flat with kitchen, lounge, and bathroom amenities, and is accessed by its own private stairwell to the side of the retail premises below. The single lease structure for this property ensures there is minimal management for the landlord.”

As Whitianga’s main retail strip, Albert Street features a broad range of retail and commercial business – ranging from cafes, licensed hospitality operations, and takeaway food outlets, through to healthcare practices and clothing stores. The Bottle-O property is one of the few premises on Albert Street which has its own on-site parking.

Trading seven days a week, the established Bottle-O business is well patronised by boaties with marine craft moored at nearby Whitianga Marina stocking up beverages for day or overnight trips.

Reflecting a prosperous town centre supported by a stable local populous, Thames Coromandel District Council’s 2018-2028 Long Term Plan identifies that Whitianga is one of two towns in the province to experience the biggest growth in the number of homes being built. The other township is Tairua.