THE gears are in motion for the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine café to reopen with Parks Victoria commencing an Expression of Interest process for a commercial operator.
And to make the deal even more appealing, the café is ready to go with commercial kitchen equipment including fridges, stoves, and a combi oven in place.
As the café also adjoins the visitor centre, there’s plenty of space to invite customers in with seating for approximately 80 patrons including an outside decked area.
Parks Victoria senior manager - commercial projects and product development, Grant Seamer said it was a fantastic opportunity to truly be part of the community and history.
“What we’re looking for is a tenant for the café side of the visitor centre, and they’ll be working closely with the local (Parks Victoria) team and the very active Friends of the State Coal Mine group,” he said.
“There’s many opportunities to utilise the spaces throughout the precinct such as the old train carriage, a tenant might be able to host a dinner in it.”
The café also comes equipped with tables and chairs and there is opportunity to enhance the outside area.
While the kitchen area is spacious and versatile, with deliveries able to have direct access through the rear door.
“The visitation is consistent and while the underground tours are currently closed, the local team is working really hard to get those tours back open as a walking tour,” Grant said.
The visitor centre is open from 10am-4pm but there is scope for a tenant to open later and cater for dinners and private events.
Bus tours also frequent the site.
The expression of interest is open until the end of July.
“The good thing is you could walk in with some ingredients and pretty much open today, there is a low start up cost and we’re offering up to a 10-year lease as well,” he said.
“And the local team is super friendly and it’s got to be someone who’s keen to work in with the overall precinct experience as well.”
For more information, Grant can be reached at grant.seamer@parks.vic.gov.au or 0423 223 175