The Coolstore Gallery has long been a creative anchor at Māpua Wharf – a place where art, design, and coastal life intertwine. This summer, co-owner of the gallery, Laszlo Ormay and fellow local and friend Hayden Nicol are stepping into a new season of balance through new business ventures based out of the Wharf.
Redefining what it means to live and work in Māpua, the pair are embracing the sunshine, salt air, and the easy rhythm of coastal life. For both, balance is at the centre of it all: between work and passion, creativity and lifestyle, business and the sea.
Just a few doors down from The Coolstore Gallery, Laszlo is channelling his creative energy into a new venture – the Wharf Shack – a relaxed retail and hire space designed to enhance the Wharf experience. Stocked with everything from fishing rods and game hire to beach gear and outdoor products, the Wharf Shack captures the carefree essence of a Māpua summer. At the same time, he is recentering his focus on his art practice, carving out time to create while remaining involved in the Wharf community. “This space lets me enjoy the energy of the Wharf while still making time for my studio,” he explains. “It’s about finding that sweet spot of creativity, community, and the good kind of chaos that comes with summer.”
After years running a garden maintenance business and volunteering as a Sea Scouts leader, Hayden is now turning his full attention to the water. His new venture, Māpua Adventure Charters, launching from the Wharf this summer, brings together his love of the ocean and his desire to share that experience with others. “I’ve always loved being outdoors,” he says, “but being out on the water, that’s where I really feel at home.”
With his practical background and deep respect for nature, Hayden’s move feels more like a natural progression than a career shift. His fishing charters will give locals and visitors alike the chance to explore the region’s coastline, unwind, and reconnect with the joy of being out at sea.
Together, Hayden and Laszlo represent the essence of Māpua locals – entrepreneurial, creative, and deeply connected to the lifestyle that makes this coastal village so special. Their stories remind us that success isn’t always about moving faster; sometimes it’s about slowing down, finding balance, and enjoying the simple things – whether that's creating in the studio or feeling the pull of a fishing line out at sea.
