With its Roslyn lease running out and facing a ''substantial'' rate increase, business owners Rachel and Roger Smith were forced to make a tough decision - close the 19-year-old restaurant or find new premises.
''We weren't sure what the future held. We thought it might have been the end of the line for Zucchini Bros.''
After looking unsuccessfully for premises in Roslyn-Maori Hill, Mrs Smith saw the vacant site in the restored historic building opposite the old chief post office in Princes St.
''It's an attractive building and I love the Exchange. I love the idea that Zucchini Bros can be part of its revival.''
They hoped to replicate the restaurant's style in the new premises by relocating their art, furniture and pot plants.
The new premises had the advantage of being larger and having a kitchen twice the size and the plan was to shift their pizza oven there, too.
''It's a good opportunity to be taking on a new challenge and the move to the Exchange is exciting.''
Breaking the news to long-time customers and nearby businesses had been hard, but many had said they would follow, she said.
It would also be sad for the family to say goodbye to the premises but they were sure it would provide an opportunity for someone else to introduce a ''new flavour to the village'', she said.
They planned to move next month, and hoped to reopen late in the month.
The owner of the Roslyn building, Tony Clear, said the Zucchini Bros premises would be re-tenanted, but he had no-one definite yet.
