The ‘Ruby Bay Store’ was a concept developed by three long time Ruby Bay locals; Kester Macfarlane (very sadly now deceased), Carol Cromie, and Chrissie Small, along with Kester & Carol’s niece Anna Macfarlane.
In collaboration, and with support from some wonderful locals, along with Manatū Taonga, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, the original 1943 ‘Blue Horizon Tearooms’ was refurbished and transformed into the ‘Ruby Bay Store’.
Barry Saunders launched the opening of the Ruby Bay Store on 18 July 2022, kicking off a wonderful four years of fantastic live music gigs, movie nights and events. The final gig at the Ruby Bay Store was supposed to be on Saturday 18 July 2026, exactly four years after the opening gig, however the ‘Last Blast’ sold out, so an encore gig was added on Sunday 19 July 2026.
Raf and Ale, of Nelson’s late-lamented Babagatto Italian restaurant, have taken over the lease of the Ruby Bay Store as a whole. With their experience and passion for authentic Italian flavours, Ruby Bay, Māpua and beyond are in for something special — and delicious. The Store will close during August while Raf and Ale redecorate and carry out upgrades, with plans to open in September. The wonderful theatre seats, originally from Timaru Theatre Royal, will now have a third life at the Riverside Community in Tasman.
Raf and Ale hope to continue nurturing the artistic identity of the Ruby Bay Store with special events and live music gigs, as part of the spirit and the legacy of the Store itself.
