Mossman wine bar for the locals
BUSINESS
Mossman Hotel and Bottle-O Mossman owner Paul McMahon is a man on the move.
He began the year by purchasing the Barrier Reef Tavern on Reef Street in Port Douglas, and has just received approval from council to proceed with plans to build a wine bar in Mossman.
McMahon said he hoped to open the wine bar in April or May, subject to approvals. It has to be approved by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) and it is hoped that this will happen over the next couple of weeks.
The 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry on both the ownership and supply side, has for the past seven years owned the Mossman Hotel and the award-winning bottle shop next to Woolworths.
He assumed ownership of the Tavern on 1 February.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to further develop the Tavern. We have some wonderful ideas and it’s a case of watch this space. But it will transform quickly.
“Food is high on the agenda along with opening a little earlier to cater for a wider market,” said McMahon.
McMahon said the wine bar will be the ideal alternative for those who do not drink at pubs.
In terms of progress, McMahon said assuming all approvals happen, as you would hope, the wine bar should be open in April or May.
“Once that happens, the new bar and kitchen will be ordered and the rest of the build will be completed.
“The idea is it will be a wine, whiskey, cocktail and tapas bar operating on Friday nights and then available for functions. You could have a wedding, birthday etc on a Saturday for a sit down of 80 people, or wine or whiskey nights during the week with accompanying dishes,” said McMahon.
McMahon said the opportunities are endless.
“There are a number of locals that don’t drink in the pubs as it is not their style. They are currently purchasing premium wines, beers and spirits from our award-winning bottle shop next to Woolworths, but are starved for choice when it comes for an on premise destination. This is being built for them.”
McMahon said the design and name will be revealed at a later date.
The wine bar will be located at 9-11 and 5-7 Front Street, Mossman.
At last Wednesday’s open session of Council, Councillors were advised Front Street is known as the Mossman Hotel and adjoins 5-7 Front Street which holds a coin laundry, shop and food and drink outlet let via separate tenancies. The wine bar proposal is in place of the previous Mossman Cycle Sports tenancy.
The wine bar will have an internal gross floor area of 173 square metres and a courtyard of 85 square metres with six on-site car parking spaces proposed for development at the rear of the site which is currently grassed and partly vegetated.
At Wednesday’s Council meeting, approval of the application for the wine bar was unanimous. “We are thrilled with the news that Council have approved our Wine Bar,” said McMahon.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said it is great to see people having confidence in the region, and taking the risk to put money into a new development and open a new business in Mossman.
“Having a business like this is just fantastic. It will be an alternative venue for people to go to, kick back and have a nice glass of wine in a comfy atmosphere in Mossman,” he said.