Freshwater: ‘Upmarket’ restaurants to boost Lawrence St
Freshwater’s status as a ghost town may be about to change with two new upmarket restaurants keen to move in, plus a trendy cocktail bar opening next month.
Manly
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Freshwater could become the next dining destination on the northern beaches with a number of bars and restaurants looking to move to the area.
It will be a much-needed boost for the suburb that has begun to look a little forlorn, with an increasing number of empty shops along the main strip.
Just four years ago it was a popular fashion hub.
But next month just two boutiques will remain – Kivari and Keel Surf and Supply – after the long standing Splice boutique shut its Freshwater outlet recently and 23 Albert, announced it is moving to Manly.
The designer boutique, 23 Albert follows other notable names that have left the suburb over the past couple of years including Lila and Huxley, Fresh Fox, Ginger and Rose and Bertie.
However, sources say that while retail is dropping off, hospitality is on the up.
There’s a new cocktail bar Thirsty Boi opening in August in the Harbord Shopping Village plaza.
And, Klaudia Brown, a Belle real estate agent, who is seeking tenants for a row of shops being renovated on Lawrence St, said an offer has been accepted by an “upmarket iconic Freshwater restaurant” for the prized unit on the corner with Dowling St.
She would not reveal what type of restaurant it is, but previously landlord Chris Zakos said he would love to see an Italian restaurant in that space.
Ms Brown also revealed she is in early talks with the owner of a fine dining French restaurant, boasting an “inspirational French chef”, offering food at bistro prices.
She said while the leases are yet to be signed she was hopeful the paperwork will be completed soon.
“Some exciting things are being planned for Freshwater,” Ms Brown said.
“We are running around like crazy showing people around.
“We hope to have 50 per cent of the vacancies filled by summer.”
Office space above the ground floor shops are also being snapped up.
A physiotherapy business is going above the corner space and a real estate agent is going in above Mrs Jones The Baker.
Across the road in the new development Oceans Freshwater, Bendigo Bank will be moving from its current spot a few hundred metres down the road, to one of the commercial spots underneath the units.
A doctor’s surgery is reportedly moving into the other unit.
Ms Brown said Mr Zakos had a strong vision for Freshwater and was looking to create a one-stop destination for the community.
She said he didn’t want to fill all of his nine units with hospitality and was also looking for beauty services, creative studios and retail.
She said COVID-19 has changed some people’s shopping habits with many continuing to buy online, but she said they are willing to wait for the right tenant.
Ellie Hiddens, 26, of Collaroy, who is behind Thirsty Boi, said she had recently come back from travelling the world including South America and wanted to start something new.
“Manly is saturated with cool, trendy bars, which is why I like Freshwater,” she said.
“There’s also the Harbord Hotel, which has recently been bought and changes are being made and the Stowaway, so I think it’s a good fit.”
Ms Hiddens, who will be running the bar with her sister Jassy, 22, who has worked in hospitality, said they will be offering cheese boards and shared platters with drinks and will look to have some themed nights for singles and the LGBTI community.
“We want to engage with all walks of life and preferences,” Ms Hiddens said.
Meanwhile, Kirstin Keysers who is behind the brand Kivari, which was born on the northern beaches, said it is a shame some of the other boutiques have left but she is trading well thanks to all the “hot Freshie mums” who shop at her store.
She is doing so well she has also branched out opening a new flagship store in Byron Bay.
Ms Keysers said it’s been sad to see the demise of the village over the past few years and that the new businesses couldn’t come sooner for Freshwater.
“That great village vibe just needs to come back,” she said.