A Rarotonga bakery is expanding into retail after family commitments delayed its opening.

Botanical Bakehouse and Eatery opened its doors on Wednesday, much to the relief of manager/operator Teva Hosking-Tinirau.

It’s a family operation, a combined effort, in which Hosking-Tinirau is on board with his partner Hanny Oberg-Nordt, and her father, and On The Beach Restaurant owner Phillip Nordt.

The couple planned to open sooner, but complications during the pregnancy of their son halted proceedings.

While engaged in wholesale bakery supplies, they looked for new business opportunities and have now branched out into what Hosking-Tinirau says will eventually become a “fully fledged café”.

Situated just east of town, on the seaside of the Main Rd, the café will open from 8am to 2pm between Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Nordt said Covid-19 inspired them to look for new business opportunities, and Hosking-Tinirau tagged along, and got involved.

The shop has baking, coffee and pizza making facilities.

“I showed Teva and Hanny how these breads are made, there are no chemicals in them,” Nordt said.

“There is something about creating a raw product and making it into something; bread is a good example and it is not easy.

“We also have a pizza oven, we will do Italian and Turkish style pizzas.”