Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

The owner of the now temporarily closed Beach Shack restaurant is in awe of its remodelled, renovated and refurbished version, but now feels more inclined for someone else to take over the reins.

Although a For Sale sign has yet to be posted, Natalie Towers told Newsport she would like to see a family, a couple or friends assume control ensuring it remains a popular spot in an area of Port Douglas short on wining and dining offerings.

"I am currently taking stock after months of intense negotiations, four months of renovations and then our two-month opening.

"You could say this is like a holiday. Since closing I have been taking time to recharge, regroup and review my options," she said.

She said this is a time when she is deciding what to do with the restaurant and step back and get some perspective.

Towers said she loves the Beach Shack, and always will. She has spent considerable time in Port Douglas and seen the numerous reincarnations at this site.

"Now I would like to see someone else run it, enjoy it, make good money and I would be a happy patron," she said.

The Beach Shack is ideally situated on Barrier Street and is one of only a few restaurants in Four Mile Beach.

Glenn Paris, who died earlier this year, along with Ernie Baxter and Laurie Cranitch, were the original founders of The Beach Shack in the early 90’s.

The three came up with the idea because they needed somewhere to socialise in Four Mile instead of having to go all the way into town, so they created a local watering hole at Four Mile.

Like every restaurant in Port Douglas, the Beach Shack did not escape the claws of the vicious Covid-19 pandemic and after initial lengthy line-ups, she saw her numbers dwindle.

However, being such an institution of Port and having a great local following, she believes these premises can be Covid-proof if run well.

Numerous Port Douglas restaurants have had to cut back their hours as lockdowns and border closures have taken their toll.

Towers could not commit to when the restaurant would reopen, and she'll need to see if anyone in the marketplace is interested in leasing an exciting proposition.

And in the interim she will be pursuing other creations and projects.

She can be contacted at: unwind@thebeachshackportdouglas.com.au