Leisa Wharington
Since purchasing this
property in March I've had plenty of time to reflect on why I decided
to take on such a project.
One of the main reasons is that I've lived on the Peninsula all of my life
where general stores have played a central role in the community and
I think it important to see The Somers General Store continue this
tradition.
I hope to retain as much
of the history of the store as possible while giving local residents and
visitors a chance to enjoy the best of peninsula produce.
The Studio
This project will demand much of my attention but I do hope to be able to
continue working with glass at my studio and intend to include some of my
works in the redevelopment.
The Somers General Store
2 The Boulevard
Somers 3927
Somers Post Office
Very much still open and continues to remain part of Somers General
Store.
Somers Beach
Always open! Learn more about Somers here.
Coolart Mansion
Offering visitors a wonderful
way to spend a few hours.
Somers Paper Nautilus
A local newspaper.
Where is Somers?
Close
October 2008
Here we are in October and it's all coming
together. Sill lots to do but not far to go.
Busy?
July 2008
Interested in getting involved? We're looking for staff for The Somers
General Store. Send your CV if you've had experience in hospitality to
forhire@somersgeneralstore.com.
The Money's rolling in!
June 2008
Got straight
onto the bank manager when this turned up under the floorboards. He
was thrilled to hear we had established a cashflow! What would a child
be hoping for with a h'penny in 1927? Milk Bars didn't
open until 1933 so the general store would have been your first port
of call. Violet Crumble,
Cherry Ripe and Minties arrived in the 1920's but Aeroplane Jelly,
wouldn't be launched until 1928. Meanwhile the
typical food served at a children's party at that time included cocktail
frankfurts, fairy bread, cup cakes and cordial. Sound familiar?
My Mount Olympus
May 2008
And I thought our Olympians were under
pressure!
(Illustration courtesy of Geoff Hook and Somers
Paper Nautilus)
The
Road Ahead
May 2008
Looks
like I've got my hands full! Opened over 80 years
ago just two years after Somer's itself
was founded this old lady is due for serious rejuvenation.
She still has a central part to play in the day-to-day life of Somers
and I hope for many others who have yet to discover this corner of the
Peninsula. Plans have been made, midnight oil has been burnt and much
wine has been drunk. Now, once the transfer of title has gone through,
work can begin. I plan to open at least a small section of the store
by early winter and will make available milk, bread, groceries as well
as coffee and a few home cooked delicacies. By spring the rest of the
store will be open as a café, serving
beautiful breakfasts and lunches.
Leisa Wharington
Spanish
Anyone?
May 2008
Good to
see that the community
notice board out the front of the store is still
at work. Bargains include $25 dwarf lop eared bunnies while Chester
the horse is looking for a good home for $450.
