News | 15 August 2019
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Waitohi café contract awarded

The operator of one of Wellington’s most well-known cafes has been awarded the contract for the Waitohi – Johnsonville Community Hub café.

Waitohi library mid-build
Waitohi library space under construction

Jim Huy, who managed Clark’s Café in the Central Library building for 10 years before it closed in March, will operate the new Waitohi café when it opens to the public this summer.

Jim Huy says the café will be his sole café operation offering breakfast and lunch.

“I’m committed to it being the best café in the northern suburbs. It will be a place for people to connect, relax and spend time with friends and whanau, and a place for everyone from all walks of life in our community,” he says.

“It will be the new local. The vibrant heart of the northern suburbs.”

The Council went to tender in March for a café operator for the Waitohi Community Hub, which will join together a new library, Keith Spry Pool, Johnsonville Community Centre, and Whānau Manaaki kindergarten.

Wellington City Council Libraries and Communities Spaces Manager Laurinda Thomas says a very competitive process was run from March to July with a total of 13 expressions of interest received to operate the café.

“We are very excited that Jim will be working alongside the team in Waitohi,” she says.

“We know what an excellent café operator he is, and will deliver superb food and delicious coffee to Waitohi.”

The name of the new café is yet to be confirmed.