PHOTO: What started as a charming French dream has turned into a Kiwi property nightmare. French patisserie Le Posh.
Landlords across Marlborough and Nelson are counting their losses after French couple Veronica and Didier Crevecoeur, operators of the once-buzzed-about Le Posh patisseries, vanished, leaving a trail of unpaid rent, legal disputes, and abandoned leases.
The pair, described as “quiet” and “pleasant,” are now remembered very differently by their multiple commercial and residential landlords — most of whom are tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
💥 The Property Impact
From commercial landlords in Picton and Blenheim to property investment firms in Nelson, the story is strikingly similar:
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A lease signed with enthusiasm.
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A shop fitted out and opened with flair.
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Bills going unpaid.
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Then — silence.
“They were the worst tenants I’ve ever had — and I’ve been in this game since I was 19,” said one Blenheim property owner, now in his 70s.
Veronica and Didier Crevecoeur
🏘️ A Wake-Up Call for Commercial Landlords
The fallout is significant.
One Auckland-based commercial property firm, Tawero Holdings (No2) Ltd, was granted a $29,000+ summary judgment in June 2025 for:
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$13,175 in unpaid rent
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Damages from lease abandonment
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Legal costs and disbursements
Despite multiple opportunities, the Crevecoeurs never turned up in court.
Judge Noel Sainsbury ruled:
“Clearly, the defendants have no defence to the claim.”
But collecting the money? That’s another story.
TRIPADVISOR
📉 Property Value at Risk
The once-thriving Le Posh site in Tāhunanui, Nelson, is now sublet.
The original Le Posh site on Haven Rd sits vacant, windows filled with abandoned bakeware and dusty furniture. It’s now listed for sale, another casualty of a failed lease.
Property owner Dharmendra Patel is yet to confirm how much rent was lost. But industry sources suggest he’s another victim in a growing list.
🧾 Deception Runs Deep
The Crevecoeurs:
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Operated four different Le Posh bakeries across the Top of the South.
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Accumulated tens of thousands in unpaid commercial leases and rent arrears.
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Registered a company (Gazillions Ltd) in 2020 — later struck off.
They also:
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Rented multiple private homes across Marlborough and Nelson — most left with unpaid rent and unfulfilled tenancy obligations.
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Left small businesses like mechanics and suppliers unpaid after months of vague promises and “free baguette” apologies.
🗺️ Where Are They Now?
That’s the million-dollar question.
According to son Alex Crevecoeur, they’ve likely fled to Australia or France, and may be “continuing similar schemes.”
A privately run online ‘public warning’ site suggests they’re back in Perth and may be planning a return to Dieppe, France — Didier’s hometown.
🛑 Landlords Urged to Vet Tenants Thoroughly
This saga serves as a stark reminder to landlords, especially in the commercial space, to:
✅ Run background checks beyond surface-level charm.
✅ Confirm proof of funds or trading history.
✅ Require personal guarantees where appropriate.
✅ Avoid “handshake leases” without enforceable legal terms.
🤳 Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a story about flaky tenants — it’s a cautionary tale for New Zealand’s property sector, especially as retail tenancies become more volatile post-Covid.
As one Nelson café owner summed it up:
“They brought the smell of croissants, but left the stench of unpaid debt.”
SOURCE: NZHERALD