His Boy Elroy is coming to Shellharbour with the opening of a second delivery and takeaway service on Thursday.
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Lachlan and Selena Stevens have signed a short-term lease to use the kitchen and downstairs area at Addy's in Shellharbour Village during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the crisis is over they will look for a smaller venue in the Shellharbour area similar in style to the existing bar and eatery in Wollongong.
When His Boy Elroy starts trading in Addison Street from Midday on Thursday, it will offer the same food and beverage service presently available in Wollongong.
The Shellharbour service will initially run from Thursday to Sunday while Wollongong remains a seven day operation.
Mr Stevens said he had applied for and been granted provisional approval for a liquor license transfer for the Addy's location so alcohol will be available for takeaways and delivery. That will include the cocktails being bottle for takeaway and deliveries by the Breakout Bar and Escape Rooms in Wollongong
"The response to us opening in Shellharbour has already been phenomenal," Ms Stevens said.
"They have welcomed us with open arms and we are grateful for the opportunity.
"We look forward to seeing what happens during the next couple of months and whether we can then open a more permanent location.
"This will give us an opportunity to look at other spaces that might be appropriate whether they be in the village, the marina or closer to the centre of town".
Mr Stevens said a second His Boy Elroy in Shellharbour has always been part of the plan.
He was just waiting to see what the impact of the marina would be on the village and the city centre before deciding on a permanent site for a new bar and eatery.
The Stevens' decided to act with a temporary location because they saw a demand in the area right now for a delivery and takeaway service like the one that has taken off in Wollongong in recent weeks.
Addy's had been vacant since December so the decision was made to use part of the large venue which has plenty of room for customers to space out and remain a safe distance from each other during orders and pick ups.
"We were always looking for a physical location with the His Boy kind of feel and fit-out but given we can only do takeaway and delivery at the moment it is more about the actual food and the product than the actual look at the moment," Mr Stevens said.
"We know now with the coronavirus landlords are looking to get tenants in just to pay their bills and we thought this was a good opportunity to jump in and test the market".
Mr Stevens said he had noted the large car park at the rear of Addy's which would potentially be good for a drive-thru service down the track but he just wants to get take-out and delivery down pat first.
"Delivery has gone absolutely bonkers in Wollongong with families in particular," he said.
"Everyone is still eating. They still want the kind of comfort food His Boy Elroy can provide.
"We launched our online system a week ago via our website and are managing that ordering process ourselves now.".
His Boy Elroy repurposed its bar staff for deliveries rather than having a third party charging a fee that would make it harder to turn a profit.
Mr Stevens said the opening of Shellharbour on Thursday had created more jobs.
"We have issued 13 new contracts to get Shellharbour off the ground," he said.
"We have seven new full time contracts and six casual/part time contracts".
Mr Stevens said many see what he is doing this week as a massive move.
But trading has been unaffected by the coronavirus in Wollongong where the volume of business being done is the same as it was before the pandemic.
His Boy Elroy is just doing things differently and people have responded positively.
"If we can spur the economy along by creating employment opportunities by taking a lease out at Addy's and helping the landlord it is a win, win, win for everyone," he said.
"We see this as a good opportunity to get our foot in the door in Shellharbour.
"As for the future I don't think delivery will go away after COVID-19 so it is important that we get our systems and processes right".
Initial deliveries will start in the nearby suburbs such as Flinders, Shell Cove and Blackbutt. But once they get everything down pat the service will expand into other areas.
Further information about phone numbers and ordering options will be posted on the His Boy Elroy website and social media pages on Wednesday before the doors open at Midday on Thursday.
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