Wodonga's Birallee Tavern has become the second pub in the city this year to be snapped up by a large hotel group.
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The sale of the West Wodonga watering hole established in 1994 to Australian Venue Co for an undisclosed price follows the sale of Elgins to Black Rhino Group in March, ending an 80-plus year association of the Weatherall family with pubs in Wodonga.
Around the same time Mr Stewart and Ms Ryan bought out the Birallee Tavern's original creators, Tom and Claire Doolan and Wayne Reid, after they took back the pub they had previously sold in 2002.
"We're very attached to the Bira because we put so much hard work in to reinvigorate it," Mr Stewart said.
"It's hard to say goodbye, but after 12 years opportunities comes up and it's time to move on.
"We weren't desperate to get out by any stretch.
"We were navigating through COVID okay after the initial shock.
"But we've had a pretty good offer and we just felt it was time to make a move."
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The pub has remained closed following the state government greenlight for hospitality venues to re-open with ultra strict patron limits of only 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors.
In addition to indoor and outdoor meals, bar areas and bottle shop, the pub has 30 poker machines.
AVC purchased Albury's Albion Hotel earlier this year and also owns Beer DeLuxe as well as Yarrawonga's Terminus and Criterion hotels.
"It is a terrific pub and it is great to have one on the Victorian side of the border," AVC chief executive Paul Waterson said.
"The Birallee is one of those great local pubs that have had long-term local support and we intend to keep it that way."
Albury-based McDonald Hospitality Brokers brokered the deal.
"Connecting a national group of the calibre of AVC to a standout local venue such as the Birallee Tavern was an excellent result for all parties and demonstrates the appeal of our region to all hospitality operators," managing director Dan McDonald said.
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