One-time Wollongong eatery the Charcoal Tavern is only months away from being reborn on the same site where thousands of happy customers dined from the 70s to 90s.
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The goal is for the Illawarra community to be able to relive the traditional romantic settings and friendly service the Charcoal Tavern was renowned for.
Its return was something Ken Tugrul wanted to see at street level on the south-east corner of the new 21-storey Signature Wollongong apartment building, which is likely to be completed at 10-18 Regent Street in October.
Mr Tugrul was a regular diner at the original Charcoal Tavern and was keen to see it return for sentimental reasons.
He said it was an iconic piece of Wollongong's history and restaurant tradition which he felt was important to keep.
Mr Tugrul said he takes pride in Wollongong and wants to keep the best of the past in the future as the city moves forward.
He bought the rights to the Charcoal Tavern name in 2016 but is looking for someone to operate the restaurant which is presently a shell. But the fit out is expected soon.
"It will be exactly where the Charcoal Tavern used to be," he said.
"We put the fit-out on hold when coronavirus hit and have been waiting until restaurants can open properly.
"Now I am hoping the new Charcoal Tavern will be open by the end of the year. We will rent it out to someone who knows how to run a restaurant".
It will be exactly where the old Charcoal Tevern used to be. We put the fit-out on hold when the coronavirus hit. Now I am hoping the new Charcoal Tavern will be open by the end of the year. We will rent it out to someone who knows how to run a restaurant
- Ken Tugrul
Mr Tugrul encouraged anyone interested in lodging an expression of interested to contact MMJ Wollongong.
Signature will be be the tallest building in Wollongong when it opens later this year.
COVID-19 has not caused any major delay to construction of the building that will also feature a fitness centre and childcare centre.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
