Hospitality businesses in Hervey Bay for sale

From French fine-dining to takeaway stores, these well-known businesses on the Fraser Coast have recently hit the market. Now, owners have shared why they’re selling and their plans for the future.

Hervey Bay’s first fine-dining venue is among a string of local eateries to have recently been offered for sale.

Aegean Waters French Restaurant, prime property at 434 the Esplanade, opposite the Torquay Caravan Park, has hit the market 27 years after owners Christian and Liberty Saint-Jon arrived in town.

The retro restaurant not only offers the flavours of France, but also, a memorable dining experience for guests with candlelit dinners, cocktails and artwork by Mrs Saint-Jon.

It is also one of the longest established restaurants in Hervey Bay.

Chef Christian, who at 70 still single-handedly turns out plate after plate four nights a week, said the restaurant had flourished to the point where it was often booked out at least a week in advance.

Aegean Waters French Restaurant - owner and chef Christian Saint-Jon. Photo: Alistair Brightman.

The couple is in no rush to sell and is just testing the waters for now.

If the right buyer came along however, they wouldn’t hesitate.

“Eventually I will have to retire,” he said.

“It’s not that I’m getting out now … I’m happy to do what I’m doing.”

If the business does sell, Mr Saint-Jon said he would spend his retirement going fishing and riding his motorcycle, while his wife could concentrate on her art.

“We love Hervey Bay and we would love to stay in Hervey Bay,” he said.

His advice to potential new owners was “don’t change anything”.

The business is on the market for around the $300,000 mark.

While businesses like the Aegean have weathered the Covid storm well, it’s been tough times for others.

TK’s Seafood and Takeaway at 424 the Esplanade closed within a year of opening and hospitality businesses held crisis talks in March about the impact Covid uncertainty and staff shortages.

Greek cafe Kefi by the Bay, which earlier this year warned it would not survive Easter after months of mandate misery, closed in April but the space at 341 the Esplanade was quickly snapped up by South African couple Jakob and Wilma Vogel who opened Potjie Pot two weeks ago.

Business has significantly picked up for restaurants in cafes in the past month.

Multiple other Esplanade eateries in Torquay and Urangan are also for sale citing various reasons.

Owner of Vinvero Espresso & Eatery Elvin Bong told the Chronicle he was selling because he was ready for the next challenge.

“It’s a good time,” Mr Bong said.

“We’re at the time I think … we’ve achieved what we’ve wanted to achieve with the business, so we’re ready to move on to a new chapter.

Elvin Bong, owner of Vinvero Espresso & Eatery, Scarness.

“For us now, there’s no room for improvement or room to grow, so we’re ready to take the next challenge.”

After six years of serving locals quality coffee and Western and Asian Cuisine seven days a week, Mr Bong said he and his family were ready to get out of hospitality.

“We’ve put a lot of sweat and tears into this businesses,” he said.

“It does take a toll and you’ve got to find that balance sometimes.”

While he accepted Covid brought its challenges, he said it was not the reason for the sale.

“The challenges … they were a bit tough at times, but I mean we got through it …” he said.

Vinvero Espresso & Eatery, Hervey Bay. Photo: Facebook.

Mr Bong is looking to move to Brisbane after 30 years living in Hervey Bay.

“I think we’re ready for the next chapter of our lives, I’ve just turned 40, so I want my next 10 years to be the most challenging 10 years of my life.”

Located on 348 the Esplanade in Scarness, the space could remain a cafe or be turned into a restaurant/bar.

“[The] position, you just can’t beat,” he said.

The business is listed for roughly $135,000.

Jetty Seafoods. Located on 575 the Esplanade, Urangan. Photo: Google Maps.

Meanwhile, after years of dishing up fresh fish and chips for locals, Jetty Seafoods in Urangan is now up for sale.

A spokesperson for the business said they were in the process of downsizing as they had other business interests.

They said it was a “good business opportunity” for potential buyers.

It is listed for roughly $110,000.

Crazy Joe's Pizza owners Joseph Attard and Cheryl McLean, located on 427 the Esplanade, Torquay.

Joseph Attard owns Crazy Joe’s Pizza with his wife Cheryl McClean.

They bought the store, which was already operating as a pizza shop, after moving from Melbourne three years ago.

Making pizzas in their kitchen at home, the pair decided to bring their love for pizzas to a shop front.

Now, they are selling the business with Mr Attard looking to go back to trade work.

“We’ve gone through Covid, we’ve been through the hardest and the softest times, but it’s come to the point … enough’s enough kind of thing,” Mr Attard said.

As with many hospitality businesses, finding staff has also been difficult.

“I’m happy to go back to trade work as a panel beater, even something a little different …” he said.

Even though the business is on the market, Mr Attard said he was not in a rush to sell.

“I’ll be sad to let it go … it’s not something I’m going to give away easy,” he said.

“I’m not in a rush to get rid of it, it’s got to have someone who’s going to show love in it … if you’re not going to show love in what you’re doing, it’s not going to work for you.”

It is listed for $165,000.