Our Next Chapter

This is where the story of Nomad's next chapter lives. I'll add a new update here each time something real happens, newest at the top. Scroll down for the whole story so far.

A new name: meet Petite Graine

1st October 2026

Here it is, the part of the story I've been holding onto: Nomad Wholefoods is becoming Petite Graine.

Petite Graine is French for "little seed". It's the seeds and grains that fill our shelves — but more than that, it's the little seed of an idea we plant in one another: a small change in how we eat, how we shop, what we bring into our kitchens and bathrooms. Little seeds that, given time and care, grow into something bigger.

The name also feels right for this moment. The nomad years — moving around, finding our feet — are giving way to something more rooted, as we settle into our new permanent home. And there's a lovely French thread running through Akaroa's history, so a French name feels like a small, happy nod to the place we call home.

Nothing changes in the day-to-day right now: same shop, same shelves, same me, same values. This is a gentle, gradual change — I'll grow into the new name over the coming couple of months as I settle into the new premises, and I'll share each step here as it happens.

The logo is still coming together — for now, this is the heart of it. I can't wait to show you the rest.

Marine x

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A gloriously messy in-between

28 September 2026

This is the bit no one puts on a postcard... the gloriously messy middle, where everything is dust and half-finished corners and you have to squint a little to see the beauty coming. But it is coming, I promise!!

And a little treasure to keep me going: I picked up this stunning handmade wooden shelving unit over in Decanter Bay. It's going to fit the new space so perfectly — solid, characterful, and made to last. Exactly the kind of thing I want our shelves to be built from.

Marine x

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Builder in training

25 September 2026

Well, I've officially added a new title to the list... alongside mother of three, household decision-maker and chief-everything-officer of my little business, you can now call me builder in training!! (ear protection and all — see below for the evidence.)

One lovely surprise: after years of neglect and damage, we've discovered the wooden floorboards underneath are still perfectly healthy. A good sand and a nourishing oil and they're going to look absolutely beautiful again — all that history, brought back to life.

Marine x

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Nomad Wholefoods found its new home

18th September 2026

After three and a half years squeezed into our little 4×2 cabin, Nomad has found a new home!!

We're moving just up the road, right next to The Common café, bookshop and gallery. It will be about three times the size of the cabin... which still feels a bit unreal to type.

I'll be honest with you, because that's how I like to do things: it's mid-renovation and pretty rough right now. My landlord Andrew is doing most of the work himself and good work takes the time it takes, so I don't have a firm date yet. Rather than fill your inbox with "still waiting!" messages, I'll add the story here as it unfolds.

Here's the building as it looks right now (yes, really!):

And here's my favourite bit so far: when we pulled down an internal wall, we uncovered this beautiful old double-sided chimney. There's a whole history here I'm only just starting to dig into... more on that another time.

For now it's the same shop, same shelves, same me at the cabin until we make the move. Open 9.30 to 3 pm Wednesday and Thursday and until 5 pm Friday and Saturday.

See you there 🌱

Marine x