Loftus approached Revell and the two decided their combined strengths could make a viable business, she said.
With busy family lives and other jobs they didn’t want to leave, they decided to bring on Marris and Monk, helping them into business ownership, Loftus said.
“We decided the way to make it work was to form a collective and bring other people in. We know the best hospitality businesses work when there’s skin in the game on site, that’s why it’s amazing to get Sheridan and Chloe in.”
1905 will focus on live performances and good food, with the menu focused on sharing platters.
Marris said renaming the venue from the Butter Factory was an important way to distinguish the new business, with 1905 reflecting the year the historic building opened.
The Butter Factory had a black mark on its name for fights, including a gang-fuelled brawl in 2024 where a victim was stabbed.
Three offenders were jailed this year for their part in the brawl.
The Butter Factory was most recently owned by Punjab to NZ Group – headed by Whangārei cousins Harpreet Kaur and Ishjot Singh – which was liquidated on August 3, owing creditors more than $440,000.
The directors said the business suffered a drop in sales because the Whangārei District Licensing Authority curtailed its trading hours from 3am closing to 1am.
Police and the Ministry of Health opposed the on-licence renewal because Kaur and Singh had no experience running a high-risk venue, which operated in an area with 520 incidents recorded in nine months, including breaches of the liquor ban, urination, vomiting and fighting.
The new owners of 1905 were happy to work with the 1am closing time because of the focus on entertainment.
1905 will be a new chapter for the historic building on Butter Factory Lane. Photo / Denise Piper
Loftus said she, Revell and Marris were also part of a new Whangārei Alcohol Accord, where police, Whangārei District Council and venue owners could work together to address problems.
She was also part of a Whangārei events group which collaborated to ensure events were complementary instead of competitive.
Support from the wider hospitality industry was shown over the last five weeks as the building was revamped, including the Beer and Loathing owners helping with painting, and OneOneSix lending lighting and audio equipment, Loftus said.
Revell said Marris and Monk’s partners, Nick Pole and Jacob Monk, put in many hours after their own jobs on the rebuilding, refreshing the interior with booths and a new kitchen.
Loftus said all the community needed to do was come in with a positive attitude to enjoy the space.
Events will include more live music, while all-ages gigs and comedy nights are also being considered, she said.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.