Venture a homecoming for new owner

Torquay’s newest café owners are stepping back in time while taking their new venture into the future.

Tim and Jayne Kearney are the new faces behind Doc Hughes, but it is not the first time Tim stepped into the local weatherboard haunt.

Looking for a summer job as a teenager, Tim found himself serving locals and tourists alike at the venue then known as Growlers.

Two decades later, he has returned to take over the business after a much-needed break from the hospitality industry.

“I had a hotel in Ballarat for 18 years and sold that 18 months ago,” Tim said.

“When I left the hotel I thought ‘That’s it, no more hospitality’, but it’s amazing what a break does.”

 

 

A self-confessed people person, Tim said interacting with customers fills his cup and keeps him excited for work.

Just two weeks into their takeover, the couple says there are no regrets.

Unsure if Tim would move back into hospitality, Jayne said she could hear Tim’s excitement for the industry return at the first conversation they had about taking over.

“I hadn’t heard that excitement about anything for such a long time,” she said.

“I was like ‘This is it’, and it just happened really quickly. The stars aligned.”

 

Since he last worked in Torquay, Tim said the community had only grown bigger and stronger.

Wanting to give back and support the community where possible, the couple are working to use local suppliers and contribute to the local economy.

Tim said the venue is unique in its ability to serve customers directly off the beach while also being a suitable venue for business meetings and evening events.

“We’re here for a long time and we want to make sure we have that community feel and community support.

“We’re using local suppliers because if you want to have a business in the community you’ve got to support the other businesses in the area as well, so we want to continue doing that.”

Tim said he was still learning the ropes but the existing staff have been outstanding in helping the new owners find their feet.

Taking on the businesses staff and reputation was a key selling point for him.

“The staff have completely showed me the ropes, I’m the trainee over the past two weeks,” he said.

“They’ve been really good, there is certainly no regrets.”

Taking their time to see how the business operates and runs over the next 12 months, the couple said they do not plan on making any big changes soon.

But while they are pleased with what they’ve seen, Tim said a hint of the Growlers of old might return.

“Happy hour used to be huge on a Friday night and that’s calmed down a bit now.

“Maybe we could bring a bit of that atmosphere back.”