Port Burger to take up where Porties Pop-Up was in Port Noarlunga

THE Port Noarlunga site where Porties Pop-Up was located over the past summer will be transformed into a permanent bar and restaurant.

Progress at the site of the Port Burger restaurant on Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga.

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THE Port Noarlunga site where Porties Pop-Up was located over the past summer will be transformed into a permanent bar and restaurant.

Ryan Thorpe revealed his plans to build Port Burger on Saltfleet St following the success of the seasonal event.

As co-owner of the project, he said a bricks and mortar venue was the answer to keeping youth in the area and would encourage them to return.

“The town itself is coming along and the pop-up down there attracted huge amounts of crowds, and there isn’t anything around here like that,” Mr Thorpe, of Port Noarlunga South, said.

“I was blown away by the amount of people there — it was an atmosphere I had not seen in the south before.”

Mr Thorpe will convert three shipping containers, covering and enclosing them for year-round use.

The cost of the project, which would create 10-15 jobs at completion, is expected to be $150,000.

“Our idea changed from pop-up to a full commercial restaurant,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be a hub and meeting spot for people.”

Mr Thorpe intends to have acoustic music and open-mic nights, but would speak to neighbours before a final decision is made.

Porties Pop-Up owners Amy and Paul Graham at their pop-up venue last summer. Picture: Greg Higgs

He doubted his new business would create competition between other restaurants, pubs and cafes in the area.

“Rather then bringing competition to the area, I feel it will bring more people for other small businesses,” he said.

Porties Pop-up co-organiser Amy Graham did not return the Southern Times Messenger’s calls about the future of the summer time event.