Thirroul's Buck Hamblin shoe store could soon become the suburb's newest small bar, with its new owners planning to retain the almost century-old business name.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cronulla barista Luke Barrett has lodged plans to transform the old Lawrence Hargrave Drive store, affectionately known as Buck's, into a cafe in the morning and, eventually, a small bar at night.
An experienced hospitality worker and barista from Sutherland's White Horse coffee roasters, Mr Barrett bought the shop and the adjoining residence at the back of the property at auction in April, jumping at the chance to be able to work so close to home.
"We had entertained the idea of moving to Thirroul because we have family here, [and] just because it's a little bit better value for money than Cronulla - we were going to do the commute up to Sydney for work," he said.
"But when we saw that Buck's came online, it was just good timing and now I'll have the ideal commute."
The shoe store closed more than 15 years ago after being operated by generations of the Hamblin family at the Lawrence Hargrave Drive site since 1940. It was originally opened by Buck Albert Hamblin at another premises in 1918.
The death of Letty Hamblin last year, who had worked in the shop from the age of 18 until the day it closed when she was 65, triggered the sale.
Mr Barrett plans to keep the shop's name and old sign, and says he will play up its heritage in the new cafe's fit-out.
"We'll definitely try to pay homage to what it was and retain as much character as we can," he said.
"For the cafe we're planning to do coffee - because that's my expertise - and a simple seasonal menu, so simple breakfast, brunchy and lunchy things. And then down the track, I'll think about pursuing a liquor licence and opening up at night - I really want to listen to what the community wants. It might be wine and cheese, or something else ... I don't know yet."
Mr Barrett said he was looking forward to living in the beachside town where his grandparents owned an op-shop for many years.
"In one sense we're new to the area, it kind of feels like I'm moving home to the place I grew up with my grandparents," he said.
"I'm just really excited to provide something else for the community, and I'm looking forward to bringing up my family here as well."
The development application proposing the bar and cafe is on exhibition through Wollongong City Council until August 21.
