Key Takeaways
- Cornerstone Bar, a family-owned institution in Tauranga, is celebrating its 21st birthday with live music and a DJ.
- The bar has survived and thrived through various challenges, including the Global Financial Crisis, Covid-19, and the current cost-of-living crisis.
- Cornerstone Bar has undergone several expansions and changes, including a name change and relocation, but has always maintained its core identity as a sports bar.
- The bar’s success can be attributed to its adaptability, its staff, and its ability to create unique experiences for its customers.
- Cornerstone Bar is looking forward to the future, with the development of new apartments and villas in the city centre expected to bring more people to the area.
Introduction to Cornerstone Bar
Cornerstone Bar, a Tauranga institution, is celebrating its 21st birthday this Saturday with live music and a DJ. The family-owned business has stood the test of time, surviving and thriving through changes and tough economic times. Taute Tocker, the owner of Cornerstone Bar, first opened the doors in 2004 alongside his ex-wife Beverly Mclean and daughters Amy, Jessie, and Ezra. The pub began as Kingsley Jones but was soon renamed Cornerstone Bar for its corner site at 55-57 The Strand. It stayed there until 2018, then moved to 105 The Strand in 2018, when the original building was demolished.
The Early Years of Cornerstone Bar
Tocker said that opening Cornerstone was "tough, humbling, and at times, a real test of our belief in what we were trying to build." However, the family’s experience across hospitality, finance, administration, and running their own business helped them to navigate the challenges. During the 2005 British and Irish Lions’ New Zealand tour, Cornerstone built a grandstand and brought in local kapa haka groups to perform. This unique event helped to attract new customers and build a loyal following. The family expanded their hospitality offerings, purchasing a TAB bar, renaming it the Crate Bar, and selling it soon after. They also transformed Usual Suspects into Za Bar, which became Manhattan Bar and Eatery.
Challenges and Adaptations
Over the years, Cornerstone Bar has faced several challenges, including the Global Financial Crisis, Covid-19, and the current cost-of-living crisis. The bar has also had to adapt to changes in the city’s development, including the redevelopment of the Tauranga CBD. Tocker said that CBD parking was a massive problem for Cornerstone, and the bar has had to compete with nearby establishments that offer similar services. To stay competitive, Cornerstone has introduced a $15 lunch deal, which has helped to attract customers. The bar has also had to change its layout and operations to comply with health and safety rules. For example, the bar used to set up marquees for the Melbourne Cup, accommodating 10 to 12 tables of about 10 people each, but this is no longer possible due to health and safety regulations.
The Importance of Staff and Community
Tocker attributes the success of Cornerstone Bar to its staff and the community that has supported it over the years. The bar has a loyal following of customers who have become like family to the owners. Tocker said that the majority of the staff have got the bar’s back, and when times are hard, they look after the owners’ interests. The bar has also become a hub for the community, hosting events and activities that bring people together. The bar’s birthday celebrations on Saturday will be a testament to the strong bonds that have been formed over the years. Current and former staff, suppliers, and family will return to reminisce on the last 21 years of Cornerstone and look forward to the next 21 years.
Looking to the Future
Despite the challenges that Cornerstone Bar has faced, the owners are looking forward to the future with optimism. The development of new apartments and villas in the city centre is expected to bring more people to the area, which will help to boost the bar’s business. Tocker said that the family is excited to see what the future holds and is committed to continuing to provide a unique and welcoming experience for its customers. The bar’s adaptability and ability to create unique experiences for its customers have been key to its success, and the owners are confident that these qualities will continue to serve them well in the years to come. As Tocker said, "You have to adapt to what the market is. Change with the times."