Food store Ebden & Olive opened in South Albury early in July while North East Feast is due to open in central Albury in early August.

Former operators of hatted Wodonga fine-dining restaurant Broadgauge, Steve Carne and Jodie Jones opened Ebden & Olive to appeal to time-poor people who wanted to eat chef-prepared meals at home.

Mr Carne said demand had been high for their takeaway meals in the first three weeks of trading at their new premises, beside Nord Bakery.

He said South Albury was well positioned to cater for the growing public appetite for quality food.

“There’s a very eclectic community here now,” Mr Carne said.

“Nord Bakery took a punt on South Albury and it’s worked.”

Ebden & Olive is an all-encompassing food store, which offers bespoke catering, takeaway chef-prepared meals, a delicatessen, coffee and lunch. 

Their own coffee blend comes from two single origins with beans roasted by Zoi Espresso Coffee Roasters.

Ms Jones said Ebden & Olive stocked a range of cheese unlike any other on offer.

“You won’t see our cheeses in a supermarket or any other like-minded business,” she said.

“We have some of the best Australian cheeses as well as some French, Italian and Spanish, from a variety of different milks.

“We also make our own butter as we did at Broadgauge; it’s fresh produce, not cultured and no preservatives. It’s packaged in 100 gram blocks and made from Kiewa cream.”

Ms Jones said they also stocked quality charcuterie in the store.

“We are lucky in Australia to have a great range of charcuterie,” she said.

Further along Olive Street, North East Feast will open in the premises formerly occupied by Grind on Olive next week.

Chef Cate Hardman will offer chef-prepared takeaway meals as well as regular breakfast and lunch trade weekdays.

“Everything we do here will be available as takeaway too,” she said.

“There might be Vietnamese chicken, meatballs or a slow-cooked lamb dish – the menu will change weekly,” she said.

“They are all kid and adult-friendly. People want something delicious and fresh and a lot of people are time-poor or might only have half an hour for lunch.”