Great Northern Barramundi Men to shut brick and mortar store in Alice Springs

The honeymoon period for a Red Centre fishmonger is over after “all that sh*t hit the fan”, he says, as he seeks to downsize his business. But he’ll still be around - find out where.

Great Northern Barramundi men owner Gavin Sibley with his truck, parked out the front of his store in Larapinta, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The Red Centre capital is set to lose a brick and mortar fish and chip shop, but the fishmonger behind the store says that doesn’t mean he won’t be around serving fresh fish.

After almost a full year serving punters from a store in Larapinta, Alice Springs, Great Northern Barramundi Men owner Gavin Sibley said he decided to call time on his shop.

But there’s a silver lining – Mr Sibley and his truck will still be in Alice Springs or Tennant Creek for three days a week, every alternating fortnight.

He said his truck could be found at “the usual haunts” and would be at the upcoming CAFL grand final.

He said the reason behind his decision to go mobile was a combination of factors: prices increasing for fish, fuel, and electricity; his health; and the crime in town.

“When we started here, it was a honeymoon period,” he said.

Great Northern Barramundi Men shopfront at Larapinta. Picture: Facebook

“Then all that sh*t hit the fan ... so no one wants to come out – don’t blame them either.”

Mr Sibley said losing a load of fish on the road after hitting a roo also added to an already pressure-filled time in his life.

“We went to Adelaide last week, and we just got a little van fixed up, and we hit a roo,” he said.

“Lost all the fish, and I had to go to surgery that night.”

The added complications of his health didn’t help the situation, Mr Sibley said.

He said some upcoming surgeries could put him out of action for a few weeks, but he will continue to run his business from the truck.

“We’re not making a lot of money, I only do it to get by,” he said.

“But at the end of the day, I don’t mind what we do, because it’s good fish.”

Great Northern Barramundi Men’s store on Larapinta Drive closed on Friday evening.

Originally published as Great Northern Barramundi Men to shut brick and mortar store in Alice Springs