Local couple revamps Clunes servo

THE Little Servo in Clunes has undergone a big makeover, with its new owners introducing everything from a 24-hour fuel pump to a deck complete with a slippery dip for kids.

Anthony Macdonald and Abbie McEwan, who also own and operate Bangalow General Store, purchased the service station in partnership with McEwan’s parents, Rae and Victoria McEwan, late last year. The couple took over day-to-day operations in July.

“We saw it as an opportunity to create something special,” Macdonald said.

As parents of young children, Macdonald and McEwan wanted to create a space where families could relax. This vision led to the addition of a fenced deck with a garden, slippery dip and sandpit to provide a safe and playful area for kids.

 

They also gave the servo a fresh coat of paint, installed new lighting and signage and reconfigured the driveway for easier vehicle access, as well as retrofitting stained-glass windows from Red Ned’s second-hand building materials at Tweed Heads to give it a bit of character.

“We also installed a 24-hour fuel machine, which gets switched to when we close the shop so people can still access fuel,” Macdonald said. “The old car yard will turn into an off-street car park once the final small finishing touches are done.”

The couple has also introduced a range of local products, replicating a model that has worked well in Bangalow. After discussions with the owners of the Clunes Store and Cellars, they expanded the range to offer more variety for the local community and create a point of difference.

 

The offerings include Zentveld’s Coffee from Newrybar, Mark’s Gourmet Pies from Tregeagle, pies and curries from Yulli’s Byron Bay, Benbrae Eggs from Eltham, The Butcher’s Wife’s meals from Lennox Head, handmade dumplings from Dumpling Baby in Bangalow, meat from Locavore Byron at Brooklet and Lennox Smokin’ Barrel, and flowers from Pikt in Myocum.

Existing staff were retained as part of the sale, with additional team members brought in from Bangalow General Store, which Macdonald and McEwan have operated for the past four years.

The couple is now dividing their time between both businesses, along with their other jobs, McEwan as a vet and Macdonald as a firefighter.

“We are aiming to be in Clunes as much as possible to meet the community, but with our office in Bangalow, and our other side jobs, it’s something we are still figuring out as we go,” Macdonald said.

 

“We have such a good team at Bangalow, and without them, we couldn’t have done what we have at Clunes. Most of July we were away from Bangalow and they kept doing what they do best, and took a massive weight off us as we did the work to get Clunes up and running.”

Macdonald said the community response has been positive.

“Most people seem excited for the 24-hour fuel facility now,” he said. “Everyone who comes in seems to mention how good it looks, which is great to hear. We had the Bangalow Runners Club out for a morning run and coffee after so it was great to have their support.”

The couple is waiting to see what the community wants in the Clunes Master Plan before making any further changes to the vacant land adjoining the station.