Life goes on in a former funeral home's garage space.

Transformed into Goodness Gracious café nearly 10 years by Greg Cornes, this petite landmark at the top of New North Road has become a popular community hub.

“I got my first hospo job when I’d just enrolled at university to study business,” says Greg Cornes. “I was working at GPK in Mt Eden learning so much about business by being part of something that was working so well that I decided to drop out of studies to pursue a career in hospitality. I spent 15 years working in all sorts of places, including two years in Melbourne, which heavily influenced me. I was a super-interested worker, paying attention to what worked for people and what didn’t and was lucky to have so many good owners and operators teach me. That all led to this.”

“I was looking for something small,” says Greg, “which this space definitely was. It was a garage for a hearse, part of the funeral home that used to be on the corner. A lot of people wanted this space, but I was lucky that for some reason the landlord was willing to take a chance on me.”

“We revamped everything down to the millimetre to make things work. The size of the place informed the offering – we couldn’t have a lot of hobs burning at the same time – as did the fact that I felt a lot of cafés do a bit of everything instead of specialising in something and doing it really well, which I found was more the case in Melbourne. Bagel sandwiches made sense, they have mass appeal.”

Ten or so bagel fillings grace the menu, rounded out with muesli and porridge and an omelette and salads for those not in the mood for bread. Espresso, made with GG’s own custom roast, is joined by teas, fresh juices, smoothies, beer and wine and even a Bloody Mary for when the occasion calls for either celebration or recovery, or both.

What Greg loves most about running GG is the chance to get behind the coffee machine and serve customers, who represent a diverse cross-section of Auckland. “We see all walks of life, from bankers and lawyers and media personalities to the everyday Joe – and all races and religions,” he says. “There’s definitely an artistic, creative element in this neighbourhood, which I hope never changes. It’s satisfying to know that you’ve struck on something. If all these different people feel comfortable in this space and keep coming back, then we’re doing it right, we’ve created the thing I always wanted to, a place that’s super- consistent and for the everyday person.” 

Goodness Gracious café turns 10 in February. We asked some of its loyal customers what keeps them coming back.

Melodownz

Musician & local resident

“I live in the neighbourhood and have my studio here too. I got to know Greg because we were chatting about our dogs and my brother’s girlfriend works in the café, too. I like the CAB bagel [chicken, avocado, bacon, greens, aioli], it’s so nice and tender.

“I also like to get the beetroot juice. I have a juicer at home, but ha, it’s so much effort to use it. It’s real cool sitting down eating outside and seeing so many people you know come by.”

Sarah Anderson

Lecturer at the University of Auckland Medical School & local resident

“I’ve been going to Goodness Gracious since it opened. It’s my local and I’m quite a loyalist, all my family and friends know how much I love it and I bring them there, too. The staff are so friendly and the place feels like a community – well it is a community.

“My go-to order has changed since I started coming here. I used to get the classic bagel, but eight years ago I became vegan and I now go for a build-your-own toasted wholemeal bagel with sides of avocado and tomato and peanut butter. Sometimes I get the vegan bagel, which has loads of mushrooms and homemade relish and salad. In summer I often get a beetroot juice with carrot and ginger. They also do a really good chocolate cookie that is vegan and gluten-free.

“I always get an oat milk piccolo and it’s always great. The attention to detail is amazing – the right size teaspoon and saucer, which a lot of places don’t do. Greg is so consistent with everything.” 

Kim Meredith

Founder of Kim Meredith Gallery, a tagata moana owned and led gallery in Symonds Street

“We affectionately call Goodness Gracious ‘Gee Gees’. Greg is highly personable, very knowledgeable and the epitome of the smart working Kiwi. He's also a stickler for quality, so the coffee is great and always hot (very important to me) and the food outstanding. It's hard to pick my favourites, but definitely the chicken salad and my favourite bagel is the vegetarian.

“Who doesn't love a good scone when you start to fade in the afternoon? The orange date scone hits all the right notes and my daughter-in-law Janet Lilo gave it the thumbs up, so there you go!

“The Eden Terrace Goodness Gracious is our local and our neighbourhood has changed so much in such a short space of time; I love sitting outside where you can take in the vista of looking out west and just watch our neighbourhood do its sweet thing, while Greg and the team take care of us.”

Amanda Gillies

Broadcaster at Three

“Goodness Gracious is a work local, about 200 metres from the Three office, and I have been a loyal fan since it opened, first with the bagels – chicken, avocado and bacon is hard to beat – and now with the porridge, tapping into my old Scottish heritage.

“The food is always great, the service wonderful. I normally take away, but occasionally eat in, and it's got a great vibe: relaxed and welcoming.”

Goodness Gracious

2A New North Road

Ph: 09 368 5800
Web: goodnessgracious.co.nz
Email: uptown@goodnessgracious.co.nz