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Welcome to 1905!
Through life's unpredictability we found ourselves in the possession of 8 Butter Factory Lane overnight. So, we thought, how can we tackle this beast. And alas, grew a collective of passionate hospitality superstars who have a combined experience of 50+ years between them. From industry administration, HR, mixology, cookery, event and venue management, finance, security, cleaning and an eye for detail. We all wear many hats to deliver what we believe an amazing hospitality experience. So we teamed up, and the Hospo Collective was born.
So who are we? Find out more below...
Jess Loftus
Jessica Loftus is Whangārei born and raised, and these days she's raising her own two girls here too.
Jess founded the Butter Factory and spent years building it into a bustling hospitality business and an important part of Whangārei's live music scene. Eventually she sold the business, stepped away and went on to create Hello Pickle, which she still owns and operates today, somehow juggling that alongside her return to these old walls.
She genuinely thought the Butter Factory chapter was finished... Turns out it wasn't.
Deeply passionate about hospitality and the role it plays in creating community, Jess is back as part of the team behind 1905, bringing decades of hospo and business experience, a ridiculous amount of energy, and a genuine love for Whangārei and its creative community.
More than anything, she's excited about the opportunity to help create a place where people can thrive. That means staff growing into their potential, local musicians and creatives having a platform, and creating opportunities for the next generation of hospitality leaders to step up, take ownership and build something of their own. Being able to do that alongside a team she genuinely believes in is a huge part of what makes coming back so exciting.
Her focus is simple: fill the room again. With music, people, connection, good times and new stories worthy of these very old walls.
Luke Revell
Luke hails from Matakana/Warkworth area and brings a wealth of hospitality experience and strong connection to the building that is transitioning to 1905. As the Previous owner of The Butter Factory, after Jess, Luke knows the Venue, its character and the community that surrounds it.
His hospitality journey also includes part ownership and the operation of The Rusty Pelican based in Matakana, where he gained valuable experience in creating a welcoming venue, delivering great food and drinks, and building an atmosphere people want to return to.
Now, Luke is excited to see the next chapter of The Butter Factory unfold as 1905. Bringing his knowledge, passion and experience to the project, he is looking forward to helping create a venue that celebrates good food, great music, and memorable times for the community.
Sheridan Marris
Hospitality runs in Sheridan's blood. Growing up in Whangarei and spending time between New Zealand and Australia, she's built over 13 years experience across venues, including bakeries, cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
With a background in venue management, HR, security and emergency management, Sheridan brings plenty of experience - and a hands-on attitude - to 1905. Having previously managed the venue in its former life, she felt a strong connection to its old walls and a drive to bring them back to life.
Supported by her partner Nick and daughter Harper, Sheridan is excited to create a place where great food, live music and community come together.
"I'm so excited to be a part of creating a space that the community can enjoy too"
Chloe Monk
Chloe and Sheridan are sisters, so the generational love for hospo is clearly strong in this family.
Chloe brings a strong background in hospitality, administration and interior design, along with a passion for creating welcoming spaces where people can connect and enjoy themselves. Her experience has given her a great understanding, organisation and the energy it takes to make a venue thrive.
Having travelled and experienced different places, cultures and hospitality scenes, Chloe has been inspired to jump on this journey to create something truly unique. She is incredibly excited to bring her vision to life here at 1905.
Chloe is committed to building a venue that feels warm, inclusive and full of character, where every guest feels valued from the moment they arrive. With a focus on quality, community and memorable experiences, she hopes 1905 will become a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike.