Refurbed farmgate back in business

STAFF at the Ballarat Mushroom Farm have reopened the storefront following an overhaul of the venue.

The shop had been closed since the Christmas holidays in order to move the storefront into a larger space at the opposite side of the building previously used for farming.

Co-owner Tanya Lunn said their original room isn’t feasible for future development.

“We were pushed for space,” she said. “Because it literally was a tin shed, we were hot in summer and cold in winter.

“We had half the roller door up, and marquees out the front so it was never a permanent fix.

“It worked over the time we had, but if we want to grow and keep our customers happy, we need to expand.”

Renovations have included repairing leaks, grinding the more-than-20-year-old concrete flooring, and installing recycled rubber ramps for wheelchair access.

The storefront walls have been lined with timber and corrugated iron while the old cool rooms will function as veggie rooms and storage.

The former storefront will serve as a farming and workshop space.

Lunn said with the shop being part of their new direction for the farm due to COVID, the expanded storefront will allow operators to increase offerings.

“In the next 12 to 18 months, we want to add to what we can do,” she said. “We might introduce different types of mushrooms down the line.

“We want to add a cafe and we’ve got a serving window where you’ve got a gorgeous view out the back.”