Adelaide’s late night pies, pasties on the move

FOR more than a decade it’s been the spot to head for a late-night hit of hot pies or sweet treats but the 24-hour O’Connell St bakery is on the move. Here’s what’s driving the $2.8m relocation.

FOR more than a decade it’s been the spot to head for a late-night hit of hot pies or sweet treats but the iconic 24-hour O’Connell St bakery is on the move.

Bakery co-owner Tony Greven remembers well when night owls would line up at his iconic North Adelaide eatery after hours, desperate for a late-night feed.

University students wanted first pick of Bakery on O’Connell’s fresh cakes, breads and pastries, which had been prepared for the following day.

“They would just smell the food and see stuff on the racks coming of the oven … and they would ask if they could come in and buy something to eat,” Mr Greven says.

“It was getting out of control and bakers were getting too busy (serving them).

“We did not want to turn down sales … so we asked the council if we could open 24/7 and they said we could, as long as we didn’t sell alcohol.”

More than 12 years later, the bakery, which is a lunchtime favourite for families and a lifesaver for Saturday night revellers, has outgrown its O’Connell St premises.

It will move 300m down the road to a bigger shop — at a cost of $2.8 million.

“We wanted to stay in the area and there are not too many (places) along (O’Connell St) big enough for us to use, so when one come up for sale, we had to buy it so we could secure our future,” Mr Greven says.

“We are always so full and when people come through and look for seats, they cannot find anything, so we will be adding an extra 40 seats.”

Its new location, on 128 O’Connell St, will have booths, bars, benches, outdoor dining and communal tables, which can be booked for meetings or small functions.

The new premises, next to Tynte Flowers, will also have a bigger kitchen, which Mr Greven says may lend itself to more menu options.

Bakery on O’Connell regular Matteo Granozio says the new shop will excite customers.

“The move to a bigger location will be great and hopefully … help get (even) more customers,” Mr Granozio says.

Mr Greven says more jobs will be created as a result of the move in the future.

The shop is expected to open by the end of August.