21/08/2026
To our amazing community of coffee lovers , we want to share what is happening behind the scenes at Local Hero Coffee Works.
This isn’t a “poor us” post. It’s simply us being honest about where things are at.
Our lease is due for renewal in November, and we have just received the new contracts. Along with a significant rent increase, we are also losing the rear carpark area that all five businesses, owners, staff, and delivery vehicles rely on every day due to apartments being built there.
Parking has always been a challenge. We currently share just two parks out front between five businesses, so losing this area creates a very real problem for everyone here.
This morning we arrived to see a ground investigation truck drilling behind our building. Watching that happen made the reality sink in.
We don’t want to leave. This place has been part of our lives for 6 years. We have built relationships here, served thousands of coffees, roasted countless kilos of beans, and been lucky enough to be part of the Kumeu community.
But the reality is, we may need to find a new home. If we cannot make something work, we may have no choice but to close indefinitely.
The last few years have been incredibly challenging for small businesses. Green coffee prices have risen, packaging has increased, freight has gone up, milk, electricity, gas, and every other cost involved in keeping the doors open has climbed.
We have absorbed as much as we possibly could because we believe in what we do.
Last year, the withdrawal of government supply contracts also had a significant impact. Wholesale has become harder, especially with larger companies competing heavily on price.
But we are still here because we believe in our coffee.
We roast some of the best coffee around. Our coffee pods have been compared alongside some of the best manufactured in New Zealand, and we are incredibly proud of the quality we produce.
If you haven’t tried our coffee, come and see us. Have a chat. Grab a bag. Try our pods. You might be surprised by what is being made right here in Kumeu.
We are also asking our community for help.
If you know of a road-front premise, a space that could work for a small roastery and espresso bar, or even a site where we could create a drive-through coffee setup anywhere around Kumeu, Coatesville, Riverhead, Westgate, or the surrounding areas, we would love to hear from you.
Coffee is Karen’s passion. This business is something we have poured our hearts into.
We don’t want to give up. We just need to find a way forward.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Local Hero Coffee Works over the years. Every coffee, every bag of beans, every kind word, and every share makes a difference.
