Cyclone Gabriel: Napier firms count losses from missed event

Summer is usually the boom time in Hawke’s Bay, but after Cyclone Gabriel, many businesses are in cleaning mode instead of tillers blaring.

And what can be opened is counting the costs of another canceled art deco festival weekend.

Justin Wilson, a business owner in Esk Valley, north of Napier, had trouble understanding the destruction caused by last week’s cyclone.

When asked what help the business needs, Wilson said, “There are people who are in a bad situation and we have to take care of them first.

The Kiwisk Luxury Lodge, run by her and her husband Biden, was unscathed, but with water pooling near the door and a small vineyard covered in silt.

The lodge had a wedding reception holiday last Monday. With no power and limited access to the valley, it may not welcome more guests for some time.

“We just canceled the next two months because no one can get in. We’ll go from there,” Wilson said.

“It’s too early to tell. It’s only been a week, so we’re all in survival mode and waiting to see what happens.”

When floodwaters inundated the valley, the lodge provided sanctuary for several nights to neighbors who were rescued by boat.

The water then receded and cars, caravans and even houses were picked up and thrown downstream.

“Obviously all our vineyards are gone, but we’re nothing compared to the rest of the valley,” Wilson said.

In Napier, business resumes when power is restored to the city. But like the Napier Antique and Jewelry Center, he missed the opportunity to take advantage of one big weekend in the year they returned after his Covid-19 hiatus.

“We had an art deco weekend, but it’s gone,” said Raewyn Dailey, co-owner of the center.

“We go abroad once a year to source all our inventory. are also much more blessed..”

Raewin Daly is counting the costs of a missed Art Deco weekend
photograph: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham

The Art Deco Festival, which took place last weekend, would typically see business during the winter months, Daley said.

“You can’t move in this store.

This year it opened on Saturday when power was restored on Friday night and no one was there. It was about $100 in sales instead of tens of thousands of dollars.

Daly wanted wage support and tax cuts From the government package announced on Monday.

Down Tennyson Street, Rachel Harvey, owner of Bloom Bouquet, mourns the loss of business on Valentine’s Day because of Cyclone Gabriel.

“It hit us on the busiest day of the year, so we lost quite a bit of inventory,” Harvey said.

“We also source locally as much as possible, so we are still investigating what we can get from local producers. [and] how they are going, how they are living. ”

The flower shop remained closed while Harvey tried to source fresh flowers. She was working at her laptop in a store with almost nothing. It was usually filled with bright colors and strong scents.

“We’re just trying to have some kind of communication with our customers to let people know what’s going on,” Harvey said.

“We still don’t have internet or power in our home. Luckily, power is back in the shop, so log on here, update your website, contact your customers, and let us know if we do so.” I just want you to know that I haven’t forgotten them.”

Rachel Harvey says she’s trying to reopen her flower shop as soon as possible.
photograph: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham

Jordan Barraclough’s Esk Valley home was eroded by water, but on Monday morning he was cleaning up at his ice cream parlor and restaurant, Berry Tasty, in Bay View, north of Napier.

“When Cyclone Gabriel hit, we had to shut down completely because we lost power on Tuesday morning. We had to shut down and we couldn’t reopen,” Barraclough said.

“Obviously, there are seven staff members who are dependent on their work, so it’s more of a waiting game for them. “

While tidying up the walk-inchiller, he told RNZ that keeping busy helped him forget what had happened.

“I’m so busy right now that I don’t have time to think about it. See you later…”

“The worst thing is to sit down. When you sit down and relax, you start thinking about everything that really happened.

“The time will come when everything is back on track.”