A popular and well-established restaurant that has championed a local delicacy for more than 20 years in the township dubbed the ‘Green-lipped Mussel Capital of the World’, is for sale as a freehold going concern.

The enduringly busy Mussel Pot Restaurant at 73 Main Road in the centre of Havelock along State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim, is a must-stop for fans of the shellfish. Its owners are realigning their property portfolio and selling for genuine reasons, according to agents handling the sale.

Occupying a prime 903sqm site zoned Business 1, the property offers a 180sqm restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, supported by a full commercial kitchen, storage and chillers. There is a 130sqm modern three-bedroom residential dwelling on site for an owner or manager, along with several separate relocatable units for staff accommodation.

While the menu showcases the versatile green lipped mussel, the restaurant also serves a variety of New Zealand seafood, burgers, and pasta using fresh local produce that is sustainable, free-range and organic where possible, complemented by Marlborough and Nelson wines and local craft beer.

The property and business are for sale by negotiation through Erika Williams and Michael Ryan of Bayleys Marlborough.

With international tourists returning and increasing numbers of New Zealanders exploring the Marlborough Sounds and Nelson-Tasman regions, Williams says the Mussel Pot with its commercial and residential buildings offers an unparalleled opportunity for a motivated new owner.

“This is the ultimate combination of income and lifestyle providing the chance to live and work in an enviable part of Marlborough,” she says.

“The Mussel Pot is a proven, well-run and successful fully licensed hospitality business that is perfectly located on the main street of Havelock with prime visibility to both foot and vehicular traffic, convenient parking options and some on-site accommodation for staff which is a real bonus in a small town.”

The owner-operators currently run the business for 10 months of the year, closing over winter for an annual break. Ryan says there is scope for a new owner to extend operations making this a year-around business.

“In its current form, the business provides a good income stream and bottom-line profit, with established supply chains in place for efficient operations and an easy handover for a new owner-occupier or manager.

“Domestic and international tourist movements are strong across the year in the Marlborough and Nelson-Tasman regions and the farmed mussel harvest is also year-around so the business could feasibly open and trade well through the winter months, too.”

Havelock is the gateway to the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds and is a great base for exploring offshore islands like D’Urville, Stephens, and the Chetwodes, says Williams.

“It’s a quaint wee former goldmining town that has retained its charm and character, and is well-located for travellers to break their journey through the wider top of the south region.

“Havelock has an outstanding 340-berth marina run by Marlborough Sounds Marinas, the town hosts the annual summer Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival, and it benefits from the thriving local aquaculture and viticulture industries.

“The Mussel Pot business is a core part of the town’s hospitality options and could offer the ultimate sea change for a new owner.”

According to Destination Marlborough, visitors to Marlborough spent $182 million to the year ending March 2023, up 9.7 percent on the previous year, equating to over $0.5 million per day of new money into the Marlborough economy from both domestic and international visitors.

Havelock is 45 minutes’ drive from Picton, 30 minutes by road from Blenheim and one hour from Nelson.

Click here for more information on the listing.