No. 7 Balmac – Back in Business – Fast!
One of Dunedin’s most popular high-end restaurants was forced to close on the 18th August 2018 after a devastating fire swept through its ventilation system, rendering the business out-of-action. Evacuated during lunch service at 12.50pm, emergency services rushed to the scene to try to save the beloved eatery in Maori Hill. Seven fire trucks and many firefighters battled the blaze at the restaurant on Balmacewen Road, containing the fire’s ravenous flames by 2.30pm that afternoon. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the consequences significantly impacted the owners and staff of No. 7 Balmac. The damage from the fire and water meant the two-story restaurant was forced to temporarily close.
Soldiering on in The Octagon
With a temporary closure, the team at No. 7 Balmac knew they had to keep the restaurant going somehow, not just for the owners and the staff, but for the many dedicated and loyal customers and clientele. The team decided a pop-up dining experience was the way to go and they pulled together a pop-up café in the Octagon on September 6th – barely two weeks after the fire. Katrina Toovey, the owner of No. 7 Balmac said this was “an exciting new opportunity to bring the No. 7 Balmac neighborhood bistro vibe to the heart of the city.” And, as they have been doing for ten years, Preens Apparelmaster were there to provide exceptional and instant support.
“Their support was amazing” Carly Gould, No. 7 Balmac
Apparelmaster to the Rescue
No. 7 Balmac was inundated with support after the fire and Preens Apparelmaster were no exception. Preens Apparelmaster was quick to offer solutions for the new Pop-Up dining experience providing them with tea towels, kitchen wipes, glass cloths, aprons, mats and more. Carly Gould, the administrator at No. 7 Balmac, said that “Preens were awesome when the fire happened. We made one call, and everything was done, in time for our pop-up opening in the Octagon. Their support was amazing.” She further went on to say “We use Preens for the convenience. It really is just like magic – all the dirty things get picked up and they just appear back, clean and ready to go again. So easy.”
Supplying No. 7 Balmac since its beginning in March 2009, the two companies will celebrate 10 years of business together this year.
