With Christmas fast approaching, tradesmen are rushing to finish off the shops in Metung Village that were gutted by fire in November last year.
Supervising builder, Andrew Williams, said while there were still some “hurdles to get over, we’re looking to be finished by the end of this week”.
Mr Williams said some “minor construction items” should be finished by then.
He told the The Post “there is a lot of administration to get a build finished”.
The shire’s building surveyor is yet to sign off on the building, which is an exact replica of the original shops.
“It’s the same footprint, the same roofline, the internal layout is identical, it’s exactly as it was before,” Mr Williams confirmed.
What was previously Nautica Restaurant & Bar will now become Aroma Café and Restaurant.
Debbie West, who runs Aroma Coffee House and Eatery in Eastwood, will be the new proprietor but won’t be opening the new eatery until well into the New Year.
Ms West said it would be likely June before she opened Aroma’s doors.
“We haven’t been open in Eastwood for a year yet and we’re still finding our feet. We didn’t want to open too soon before Christmas,” Ms West told The Post.
“The last thing we want to do is go into a busy season with inexperienced staff, we’ve still got to fit out the premises and train staff, we couldn’t possibly have done it before Christmas.
“We’d love to be open before then, but we couldn’t do it.
“It was a really hard decision to put the brakes on but I just felt I couldn’t do it. I’m already seven days week here (Aroma in Eastwood).”
Ms West said while there was a glimmer of hope she could open the business in the New Year, it was realistically likely to be around June.
“We’d like to open earlier, but we’re really concerned that when we go into Metung we don’t muck it up because we’re not ready.”
When it does open, Ms West and her husband, Ben, who is a food service representative, anticipate opening for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.
“Dinners we will play by ear, obviously we will open more when it’s busier,” Ms West said.
The couple who has six children, with two still at home, have been involved in hospitality for many years, having owned and operated an eatery in Highett.
Ms West said she was excited by the Metung venture and promised an upmarket menu that incorporated local seafood.
Meanwhile, Peter Baldwin, who also runs the Metung Village Store with his partner, Sue, is planning to open Bella’s Providore before Christmas in what was the former bakery.
Bella’s will be primarily a gourmet takeaway and produce business offering fish and chips, burgers, souvlaki, roast chickens and a range of salads.
“We’ll also have speciality products,” Mr Baldwin told the The Post.
A chef for 33 years, Mr Baldwin will be behind the counter cooking up a storm to provide locals and tourists alike “a quality product”.
“I’ve just had the signwriters in and we’re ready to rumble,” Mr Baldwin said.
While expressing frustration at “hiccup after hiccup” that had prevented an earlier opening, Mr Baldwin said “I’ve got staff and I’m ready to go”.
Metung Real Estate agent, Ian Lockwood, moved back into his rebuilt premises over the weekend and is happily enjoying his water views once again.
Ray Weinzierl, who owns the shops, thanked the builders and trades people who have worked feverishly to complete the rebuild.
“A big thank you to all, especially builder, Andrew Williams, who coordinated everything,” Mr Weinzierl said.
PICTURED: Debbie West, owner of Aroma Coffee House and Eatery in Eastwood, will open Aroma Café and Restaurant in Metung next year.
