Style: August 03, 2017

STYLE | advertising feature 69
NOSTALGIA WITH
A MODERN TWIST
With more than 30 types
of loose-leaf tea, the Majestic Tea
Bar, Espresso & Chocolate is the
latest destination for
a quality cuppa.
Words Christine de Felice
A
sense of the city’s special history and legacy
has returned to Christchurch with the
opening of the Majestic Tea Bar, Espresso &
Chocolate in Barrington.
The driving force behind the project, Chris
Cox, is a strong believer in the importance of
retaining the connection with our past, much
of which he says has been lost both because of
the earthquakes, and more generally the pace
of modern life.
Customers can enjoy the comforting
ambience of nostalgia blended with a fresh,
modern approach at Majestic Tea Bar, Chris
says. As the name suggests, tea is the main
focus, but there certainly is a lot more on
offer, with a menu that encompasses coffee,
chocolate, cold drinks and a wide selection of
cabinet and menu food available, prepared by
their chefs in the kitchen.
Now in his 30s, Chris has been involved in
the franchise food industry since his early 20s,
both here and in Auckland, and has always had
a passion for food and people.
“I saw Majestic as an opportunity to express
myself and bring new things to an industry that’s
become typecast. I want to put more focus on
customer service and the customer experience.
“Majestic has a community and family focus.
I see it as a place where people can come and
catch up over a drink, the way our grandparents
used to do, but also a place for all ages to enjoy.”
With a keen eye for detail and opportunity,
Chris identified that tea was enjoying a huge
resurgence worldwide and decided to make
that the focus of the new business. The concept
for Majestic has been carefully developed
over the last two years, during which he did
extensive research here and overseas, and also
talked to family and friends about what they
would like and expect from the new cafe.
The fit-out has a vintage feel but it is modern,
fresh and embodies a colour scheme designed
to appeal to both men and women.
“I didn’t want that dark, industrial feel that
so many cafes have now. I wanted it to be
different. The plants represent the Palm Court
era and the aprons the staff wear have bibs like
the aprons our grandmothers wore.”
As a specialty tea store, Majestic offers more
than 30 different teas of all varieties, with others
to be added as time goes on. Only loose-leaf
tea is served, and in cast-iron teapots – a nod
to tea’s Chinese origins. Coffee lovers are
catered for with the usual selection of coffees,
plus there are chilled juices and soft drinks.
Customers can choose food from the cabinet,
or from the full kitchen menu, which will evolve
and change with the seasons.
“Our head chef, Mark, is a local. He grew
up in this area and has 15 years’ experience
around New Zealand. All our staff have at least
five years’ experience in the industry.”
Chris says he chose Barrington as the
location for Majestic as it has more of a
boutique, family feel to it than the larger
suburban malls around the city. There are also
a lot of owner/operated businesses rather than
chain stores, so business owners are more
invested in the local community, he says.
The Christchurch Majestic Tea Bar, Espresso
& Chocolate is the third in what he hopes will
become a nationwide brand. The other two
are in Auckland and Palmerston North.
“I see it as a national brand in the making
but I don’t want it to be everywhere. It needs
to stay special and we will continue to develop
it, so the novelty won’t wear off with our
customers.
“While we are franchising we need to be
very careful about who we allow to take on
this business. They need to have a strong
customer focus, determined to succeed but
above all else, love that brand for its origins.”
With tea being the world’s second-most
consumed beverage behind water, the future
of the Majestic Tea Bar, Espresso & Chocolate
brand looks promising – with Barrington a good
start for Christchurch.