After three years Noel Dafter and Barbara Stevens have sold the business, though the pair will retain some connection to the store.

New owners Bill and Bev Patterson officially took over the reigns on Monday and Bill, Barb's brother, said the pair hoped to retain much of the café's current charm.

"We're going to keep it fairly similar and hopefully give customers what they're used to," Bill said.

"Eventualy we're going to try and add some different stuff to the menu, but that's still in the planning and development stages."

For Bill, this is his first sojourn into the restaurant business after 20 years working in the NRMA and transport industry, while Bev brings years of catering experience from her work in school canteens.

Noel said the store was being left in capable hands and wished the new owners the best of luck with the business.

"It's been a great few years," he said.

"We've met a lot of wonderful people and in one way there are a few regrets but in another there's a host of new opportunities, one of which is to catch up on some fishing."