Final call and last drinks for family who run the Raglan Tavern

It has been the little watering hole nestled along the Bruce Highway for more than 50 years but next month this tavern will sell last drinks to make way for a petrol station.

It has been a challenging two-and-a-half-years but Raglan Tavern lease holder Melissa Short makes it very clear she has no regrets.

Ms Short, alongside her husband Chris and daughter Ayla (16) have been running the popular hospitality venue on the Bruce Highway seven days a week since August 2022.

The only assistance they have was from just one other staff member.

But on July 31 the tavern, which has been around since the 70s, is closing its doors to be turned into a petrol station.

The Shorts decided to take over running the tavern for a challenge and they certainly received it.

“My husband got bored in retirement and I needed a new challenge,” Melissa said.

Before taking over the venue, which is a favoured eating spot for truckers, Melissa had 30 years hospitality experience working in Brisbane, the gold and Sunshine Coast.

She said the difference between running the Raglan Tavern and other hospitality venues down south was the unpredictability.

“You never know what is going to happen, any given day and given time,” she said.

“Everywhere else I’ve worked, you can pin down this time of day it’s going to be busy. This particular day of the week is going to be busier than normal.

“This one, unpredictable to the extreme … it’s a challenge because you just never know, all of a sudden you can have 100 people descend on this place that you had no idea were going to be here.”

Raglan Tavern lease holder Melissa Short said she and her family decided to take over running the Raglan Tavern in August 2022 for a challenge. Pictured at the pool table in the outside dining area of the Tavern.

Aside from truckers, the Raglan Tavern is also a stopping point for motor clubs and Melissa said she’s had motorbikes lined up across the front of the venue.

Holiday makers with caravans are also a frequent sight.

Besides the lack of predictability, the logistics of running the Raglan Tavern is also a challenge.

“In Brisbane you can get stuff the next day,” Melissa said.

“Here (in Raglan) you’ve got set days … you’ve got to work in amongst all those days of deliveries to place your orders and things like that.”

Like all hospitality venues, the customers of the Raglan Tavern have their fan favourite meals like a mixed grill, rib fillet and the fish dish.

Husband Chris, who works in the kitchen, said organising meals for the day was a never ending process.

“Get up in the morning, prepare the kitchen and cook at lunch time,” he said.

“Couple of hours off, come back, prepare the kitchen and cook again.”

Ayla Short (16), has helped her parents Melissa and Chris with the running of the Raglan Tavern which is a popular stopping point on the Bruce Highway.

Along with the regular meals, Chris said he caters to customers special needs.

“We’ve got a guy … he had to have all his teeth taken out and half his jaw so he can’t chew anything,” he said.

“So everyday I’ve been cooking him something to eat. I’ve been making fried rice for him.

“I’ve been making spaghetti bolognaise, I’ve been doing Singapore noodles … because he couldn’t eat steak or anything else.”

Despite the business challenges Melissa, Chris and their daughter all agree there have many highlights.

“It’s been great,” Melissa said.

“We’re mostly known for the trucks, we get a lot of them through during the week. Caravans also stop. It’s just an ever-changing customer base.”

Another highlight has been working with her family.

“We have our moments where we’re sort of at each other’s throats because we’re trying to do a million and one things and we’ve got to do another million and one things on top of that, but it’s been good,” she said.

Melissa and Ayla (16) Short behind the register at the Raglan Tavern. The Tavern will serve last drinks and meals on Thursday, July 31.

The family said while their regular customers have reacted to the news of their closure with disappointment it was time for a change.

“A lot of them have to rework where they’re stopping and what they’re going to do,” Melissa said.

Thinking back at all the challenges and highlights it is clear for Melissa that running the Raglan Tavern with her family has meant a lot.

“It’s been a welcome challenge,” she said.

“Meeting members of the wider community, the truckies, the travellers, the workers that have come and gone, it’s been great. And I’m going to miss it.”

Like the end of any long standing business, the family hope the Raglan Tavern’s last day of trading on Thursday, July 31 will be a memorable celebration.

“We’ve told all the regular truckies that come through on a weekly or monthly basis that we’re closing on that day. So we’re hoping to get a good turnout.”

Melissa and Ayla (16) Short have both said that interacting with the customers has been a highlight of running the Raglan Tavern.

As for a message to the customers, Melissa had one final callout.

“Thank you for all your support. We could not have done it without you.”