THE prominent shop corner which has largely remained vacant since Mann Central shopping centre in Wodonga opened nearly two years ago will be filled by the end of the year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Greg and Nicole Dean have moved back to the border and have signed up as the franchisees of Burger Urge in the chain's first major move south since opening in Brisbane more than a decade ago.
The only time the shop on the corner of High Street and Elgin Boulevard has been occupied was during the federal election campaign when defeated National Party candidate and former Wodonga mayor Mark Byatt used it as his base.
Mr and Mrs Dean moved back to the area 12 months ago after operating a Hog's Breath restaurant in Port Macquarie.
"We've got a young family and couldn't think of anywhere better for the kids to grow up around family," Mr Dean said.
"We thought we'd move back to the Border and have a crack at something Wodonga hasn't got yet.
We thought we'd move back to the Border and have a crack at something Wodonga hasn't got yet
- Greg Dean
"We've come across Burger Urge."
They plan to hire between 25 and 30 staff and in addition to hamburgers and other food offerings the premises will be fully licensed to sell alcohol including craft and traditional beers, wines and cocktails in addition to children's drinks.
Burge Urge will take up about 66 per cent of the lettable space on the corner of the shopping centre opposite Junction Square.
"It is a prime spot so we're pretty stoked to be going in there," Mr Dean said.
"We feel Wodonga has been growing rapidly since we've been away.
"We think there is a good little food culture in Wodonga and we're just stoked to be part of it."
Mr Dean said the tentative opening date was November 25.
Business Wodonga chairman Graham Jenkin said High Street was definitely on the rebound since the completion of the last stage of the road works.
"The vibe has definitely picked up and the fact we've got so many food venues now it is encouraging for the future that Wodonga is starting to become a place to go out," he said.
"There are so many different types of cuisine available now.
"The other heartening thing that is happening is the new businesses which are coming to central Wodonga and not just a relocation of an existing business."
When the road works were completed two months ago the rebound was already underway with the central Wodonga vacancy rate at 11.73 per cent.
.
