Hello, my dear Frankies!

I've had another gorgeous week connecting with some amazing locals ♥

I've talked about how many amazing business people we have in this corner of the world, and this week I managed to catch up with Dee from Waiuku who has three successful businesses - Rimu Gully, handcrafted botanical skincare, soaps and giftboxes, Botanica on Bowen, a gorgeous local gift store, and now The Loft on Bowen - a beautiful new approach to fitness in the heart of Waiuku. Make sure you check it out because it really is a brand new way to exercise, something I don't think we have anywhere else in Franklin!

And along with the inspiring business owners we have, we also have some incredibly talented creators in Franklin. This week I got to connect with Emmy from Emmy Kate Jewellery and learn more about her beautiful jewellery pieces and the concept of jewellery as wearable art. Another inspiring local ♥

So it's felt like a gorgeous celebration of our local community this week! Ad if you have your own favourite local creators that inspire you - let us know! We'd love to check them out ♥

Hope to see you all around!

R. and the Frankie Team xx

Calm. Private. Empowering.

Inside The Loft on Bowen - Waiuku’s New Private Movement Space

If you’ve ever wished you could roll into a gym without the crowds, without the waiting for the squat rack, or without that sweaty guy grunting two treadmills over, we’ve got good news. A gorgeous new space has quietly opened its doors in Waiuku this month, and it’s completely changing the way we approach exercise!

Welcome to The Loft on Bowen. A light-filled, private fitness haven where it’s just you, your playlist, and a whole hour to move at your own pace. And you get to choose what you do! There's reformer Pilates, a treadmill with a view, a free weights section, and even a cosy nook for the kids so you can actually focus on your workout.

From idea to airy oasis

The Loft was born out of local business-owner Dee's own search for something different.

“I really wanted to do reformer Pilates, but at the time there were no options in Waiuku,” she explains. “I also wanted a space where I didn’t have to attend set classes...somewhere I could work out in my own time and at my own pace. It was important to me that I could bring my kids along, and that the space felt calm, beautiful, and inspiring so I’d want to keep coming back.”

The timing was serendipitous. She and her husband had just purchased the building at 11 Bowen Street to house the gift shop she co-owns, Botanica on Bowen, downstairs. The upstairs apartment was sitting empty, even attracting interest from Pilates studios. When those plans fell through, she decided to create the space herself.

A new kind of workout

Step inside The Loft and you’ll find muted tones, native timber flooring, and an airy calm that really makes you instantly relax on arrival. The reformer Pilates system is the heart of the space, powered by Your Reformer’s on-demand kiosk with more than 900 classes - everything from classic stretch to athletic HIIT, prenatal to postnatal, cardio to core.

“There are no instructors or group classes; instead, you book an hour and use the space how you like,” Dee explains. “The Loft is about moving your way, at your pace, and in your own time.”

Need a warm-up or cool-down? There’s a treadmill by the window. Want a little strength work? Free weights are right there. Time poor? A 20-minute Pilates session fits perfectly into the chaos of real life.

Family-friendly by design

One of the most thoughtful touches is the kids’ space, a former bedroom now fitted out with comfy furniture, toys, books, and device outlets. Parents love it.

“The feedback has been amazing,” Dee says. “Parents especially appreciate being able to work out at a time that suits their family schedules.”

And it’s not just parents who are flocking in. The Loft has already become a favourite with shift workers, busy professionals, and anyone who’s always felt a bit anxious about traditional gyms.

Changing the way we move

The Loft isn’t about loud beats, crowded classes, or chasing the next PB. It’s about creating a peaceful, flexible, doable relationship with movement. Pilates, in particular, has been transformative for the founder herself. After years of joint pain from traditional training, Dee has found a new rhythm in shorter Pilates sessions that fit her schedule.

“I’ve had people join who have never exercised before because they are afraid of gyms and class environments, and they are loving it,” she says. “This has made it all so worthwhile for me - creating a safe, beautiful place that people feel comfortable in to start their fitness journey.”

The vision

Dee's dream is simple: that The Loft on Bowen becomes a boutique fitness hub for Waiuku, where exercise feels less like a chore and more like something you actually look forward to.

Three words sum it up best: calm, private, empowering.

So whether you’re a parent craving a solo hour, an introvert who hates gyms, or just someone who wants to try reformer Pilates without driving miles or signing up for classes, The Loft on Bowen might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

Follow The Loft on Bowen on Facebook and Instagram and check out the beautiful vibes!

Waiuku Eats & Beats - This Friday from 4pm-7pm! Lots of $10 eats, live music and entertainment for the whole family

IHC’s volunteer friendship programme is about making a positive change in the life of a person with an intellectual disability and gaining a new friend in the process. Are you interested in walking, knitting or visiting the library with a friend? If you would like to play a part in the life of a person with an intellectual disability, please contact Brigit.bowron@ihc.org.nz​

Have you read Coffee News this week? - Pick up a copy in your favourite café or scan the QR code to read on your device

👉 Want a featured note on the notice board? - Simply book your feature here, or just send us a quick email and we'll help you out!

vresil grin

Unscramble the letters above to find the Franklin-related phrase! Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

Bold Shapes, Tiny Sculptures: The Story of Emmy Kate Jewellery

You know when you meet someone and their creativity just spills out of them? That’s Emmy. She grew up running wild on Karekare Beach, making her first bracelets out of stripped copper wire from her dad’s toolbox. These days, she’s a mum of three and the maker behind Emmy Kate Jewellery - pieces that are bold, sculptural, and so full of heart.

From Karekare to the Bench

Emmy grew up in Karekare, a wild, creative corner of Auckland’s west coast, with five siblings, a beachside playground, and a school buzzing with art - all the things you need to encourage a lifelong creative streak! “As children we spent a lot of time on the beach, playing in the bush and the stream,” she recalls. By age 11, she was already experimenting - stripping copper wire from her dad’s workbench to twist into bracelets. Night classes at the Peter Minturn Goldsmith’s School later transformed those early experiments into carved sterling silver, and her love affair with jewellery truly began.

Wearable Art

For Emmy, jewellery is much more than decoration. “It’s wearable art,” she explains, “a sculpture that’s comfortable and bold, bold enough to become part of your identity.” Her inspiration comes from nature and geometry, like the layered petals of a rose, or the rising precision of an ocean swell. With three preschoolers at home, her current process starts in her head. A little piece of everyday life will inspire her, followed by dreaming and sketching in her head, so when she gets time to create at the bench, her designs are already fully formed.

One especially meaningful creation is her abstract butterfly, crafted in two halves, each on its own silver chain. She keeps one; her best friend wears the other. “It’s super cute,” she says, "but it also expresses gratitude and love for the neverending support and friendship. And this sums up her approach: jewellery as connection, gratitude, and identity.

Emmy Kate Signature Style

Clean lines, abstract shapes, and contemporary forms are Emmy's hallmark. She loves the transformation - carving ideas in wax, then watching them come alive in shining silver. Current works-in-progress include swirl-pattern rings and sterling silver bangles that always catch attention. As for her personal favourites? Emmy wears her butterfly daily, along with the first ring she ever made and a the very first of her “staircase design” rings that never fail to earn compliments.

Rooted in Community

Community is everything to Emmy. Between Playcentre, library trips, gallery visits, and fluffys at Caterpillar Café, she and her kids are immersed in Franklin life. Those connections have also helped her jewellery flourish. “Being out and about, forming relationships and being immersed in the hustle and bustle of Pukekohe…opportunities have arisen for me and my jewellery. This in turn is giving me more confidence in seeing how far Emmy Kate Jewellery can go.”

She’s also built a following online, sharing her latest creations and the stories behind them through her social channels and mailing list.

Looking Ahead

Where to from here? Emmy dreams of having her pieces in galleries across New Zealand and eventually creating full-time from her own studio gallery space. And if she could choose anyone in the world to wear her work? “Stevie Nicks, for sure!”

Until then, you’ll find her in Franklin, carving, dreaming, gardening, parenting, and making art you can wear.

👉 Follow her on Facebook: Emmy Kate Jewellery and Instagram! And check out her work, exhibited at Frankilin Arts Centre now!

Thursday

🍔 Food Truck Night Markets​
Pukekohe Park, 4.30–8.30pm
Eclectic mix of international street food trucks! Asian, Mexican, Indian, Turkish, Hāngi, Thai, Burgers and more.

🍸 Thursday Cocktail Happy Hour​
Little Ed, 6–7pm
All your favourites, just a little bit cheaper!

🧠 KIDS Quiz Trivia Nights​
Blue Ox Babe, 7pm
Challenge your brain with family and friends at this awesome kids trivia night. More info here!​

📷 Beneath The Surface – Fine Art Photography Exhibition​
Franklin Arts Centre, Community Gallery Space
Open Mon–Fri 9.30–4.30, Sat 9.30–2.30 (closes 3pm on 3 Oct). Melissa Palmer’s self-portrait series narrates a mental health journey, combining nature, surrealism, and embroidery. Check it out!​

🎭 This Murder Was Staged​
Pukekohe Performing Arts, 7.30pm
A fast-paced, backstabbing backstage comedy guaranteed to entertain. Get more info here​

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Friday

👵 Franklin Positive Ageing Expo​
Pukekohe Indian Hall, 9.30am–3pm
Stalls, info on clubs, entertainment, and refreshments. Get all the details here​

📚 Browsers Bookchat​
Waiuku Library, 10.30am
First Friday of the month—join for a cuppa and discussion about what you’ve been reading, watching, or listening to.

♻️ Zero Waste Craft (School Holidays)​
Waiuku Library, 10.30–11.30am
Join Chelsea from Waiuku Zero Waste for a recycled craft activity.

🔬 Brain Play (School Holidays)​
Pukekohe Library, 10.30–11.30am & 11.30am–12.30pm
Exciting science experiments! Register at franklinoutreach@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

🎨 Mood Painting (School Holiday Drop-in)​
Franklin Arts Centre Foyer, 10.30am–1pm
Play with colours to explore your mood, journal, and take your painting home.

🖌️ Observational Drawing with Margaret Feeney​
Franklin Arts Centre, 6–8pm (Fridays in Oct)
Learn traditional and playful techniques in drawing, clay, light and stop motion. $160 for four sessions. Booking: margaretfeeneyart@protonmail.com.

🦇 Pekapeka Night Walks​
With Finding Franklin Bats, 7pm
Take a guided walk with bat detectors to see and hear bats in action. Book your tickets​

🎶 Waiuku Eats & Beats​
Waiuku Town Centre, 4–7pm
Live music, kids entertainment, and $10-or-less meals from local eateries. Thanks Waiuku!​

🎬 Outdoor Movie Night​
Paerata Reserve, 7.45pm
Bring a blanket, snacks and enjoy a movie under the stars. Food & drink from Rise and Shine Café. Check it out​

🌸 VIP Night at Botanica on Bowen​
Botanica on Bowen, 4–7pm
Giveaways, florals, treats and new season arrivals at Brews & Blooms. Don't miss it​

🏋️ Grand Opening – The Loft on Bowen​
The Loft on Bowen, 4–7pm
Celebrate Franklin’s most unique wellness and fitness space. Follow along​

🎧 DJ Martina Mak​
Little Ed, 7–11pm
Disco, funk, R&B, hip-hop and Latin grooves to fill the dancefloor.

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Saturday

🚨 Community Emergency Response Expo (Free Event)​
Buckland Hall, 10am–4pm
See live emergency response demos, equipment, family fun, free kai and prizes. More info!​

🎨 Sip ’n’ Textured​
Waiuku Cossie Club, 2–5pm
It’s fun art, not fine art! Paint, laugh, and get creative with friends. Don't miss out!​

🔫 Horror Night Game @ W.A.R​
58 Bird Rd, Otaua, 3–10pm
Airsoft-style horror game. Book online + safety briefing: Event link.

🍺 Oktoberfest 2025​
Appetite, from 4pm
Souvenir steins, authentic snacks and live music. Get it​

🎸 Fifth Avenue Live​
Ed Street, 7pm onwards
Enjoy live music into the night.

🎧 DJ NPeezy​
Little Ed, 7–11pm
High-energy house, garage, bass and mashups.

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Sunday

🥕 Pukekohe Farmers & Artisans Market​
Pukekohe Town Square, 9–12.30pm
Produce, artisan stalls, Mitch French live music and free facepainting.

🌞 Waiuku Sunday Market​
9 Kitchener Rd, Waiuku, 8am–1pm
Artisan stalls, music, kids activities and community vibes in the heart of Waiuku.

🛍️ Pollok Market​
4 Cemetery Rd, 9am–1pm
Monthly local market in Pollock with all your favourite stalls!

🛍️ Pukekohe Park Market​
Pukekohe Park Raceway, from 8am
Homegrown produce, crafts, antiques and food trucks. Event link​

🪔 Diwali Celebration​
48 Market St, Pokeno, from 4pm
Food, games, giveaways and vibrant performances. Hosted by Century 21 Pro Realty. Don't miss out!​

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monday

🍕 Pizza Class & Dinner in the Deli​
Pizzata Deli Shop, 7a Glasgow Rd, Pukekohe, 6–7.30pm
Learn pizza oven skills, stretching, toppings and finishing touches. Includes dinner. $35pp. All the info!​

🎲 Monday Quiz Night​
Appetite, 7pm
Lots of fun every Monday night!

🎲 Monday Board Game Night​
Otakumart, from 6pm
Bring your own or try ours. Free entry, everyone welcome. Check it out!​

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Tuesday

🎨 Painting Club​
Franklin Arts Centre, 6–8pm
Bring your current project and enjoy two hours of dedicated creative time.

🏃‍♀️ Stride Tribe Run Club​
Waiuku, 6pm
Free, pressure-free walk/run club. 3km, all paces, fun community vibes. Follow along!​

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Wednesday

🤣 Comedy Quiz Night​
The Village Bar, Patumahoe, 7pm
Free to play, bookings: 09 236 3571.

👩‍🎓 Anti-Social Social Club (Teens)​
Pukekohe Library, 3.30pm
Inclusive after-school hangout with fun activities for teens.

💼 Franklin Small Business Insights & Networking​
Campbell Tyson, Pukekohe, 5.30–7pm
Free workshop with practical tips to build resilience, cashflow and business growth. More info​

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Word Scramble answer: Silver RIng

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