Tony Kelly and Dirk Long partner to reopen Eudlo General Store as ‘best pie’ destination

Two savvy Sunshine Coast businessmen are weeks from reopening an iconic general store where they will serve the region’s “best pie”.

Hay, gas and the best pies in town are what’s promised from a renowned Sunshine Coast chef and a developer who have taken on an iconic general store.

The almost 100-year-old Eudlo General Store is undergoing a facelift at the hands of Rice Boi founder Tony Kelly and Evans Long director Dirk Long.

They purchased the property earlier this year from former owners Ian and Robyn Hughes, with the vision to reopen it as a general store and cafe with the Sunshine Coast’s “best pie”.

Mr Kelly said after months of trialling recipes at his Maroochydore Market Bistro restaurant they created something worthy of the title, an “epic” beef cheek and red wine pie with a “hybrid” shortcrust base.

They expect to open Eudlo General Store early November and next year want to expand it with an outdoor dining area for wood-fired pizzas and spit roasts on weekends.

Mr Kelly said they were inspired by the store’s rich history which dated back to 1925.

It was painted to match the earliest colour image they could find – a dark grey with white trims – and tiles were ripped up to expose what’s believed to be the original timber floorboards.

The logo “pies, coffee and fancy goods” was also inspired by the original name which was Ironmongers Drapes, Curtains, Fancy Goods.

But before the doors open Mr Kelly said they had to finalise the chicken and leek and lamb shank pies.

“I have a burning desire to create the best pie anywhere on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Kelly said.

“There’s something about a delicious pie, you’ll travel far and wide for them.”

He said the most difficult component was the pastry base.

“Hot water pastry from traditional pies tend to have no texture … but we want every bite to mean something,” he said.

“We want texture in the base and a flaky top.”

He said the cafe would be open for breakfast and lunch and expected the bread and butter pudding with raspberries and white chocolate to also prove a hit.

Mr Kelly, of Palmwoods, and Mr Long, a former Eudlo resident, were keen to take on the business for years.

The popular restaurateur is also weeks from opening PiggyBack at the former Clio’s site at Palmwoods.

“(Eudlo) is a site that gives you an emotional reaction, it makes you feel good,” Mr Kelly said.

“This means a little bit more to me, I feel the same way at Palmwoods, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve jumped at it.

“We’re still going to do firewood, hay, and swap and go gas.

“The general store component will still be there but we want to create beautiful coffee and great pies too for the people of the hinterland.”

The duo’s business relationship dates back several years with Mr Long involved in development at the Mooloolaba Wharf where Mr Kelly operates Rice Boi and Spero.

Mr Long’s firm Evans Long developed Foundation Place at Maroochydore CBD where Mr Kelly opened Market Bistro and Giddy Geisha.

They also opened Miss May cafe together at Sippy Downs earlier this year.

Originally published as Tony Kelly and Dirk Long partner to reopen Eudlo General Store as ‘best pie’ destination