Gerogery Hotel licensees expand to second Riverina Hamper Co gift shop

Licensees Norm and Lisa Carl said people came out in their droves for the popular (now twilight) markets held each Saturday of the month from 4pm to 8pm at the revitalised country pub.

Food vendors sold out in two hours and artisan stall holders reported bumper sales.

The pair, who have an unashamed passion for local produce, are intent on making the pub a hub that will draw visitors for more than grog and grub.

They kicked off as the new licensees earlier this year and soon after opened The Riverina Hamper Co gift shop in the old dining room of the pub, featuring products sourced from the Murray and Murrumbidgee river regions.

Despite being beset by the "tough" challenges of COVID-19, Lisa and Norm remain committed to their big dreams, supported by the close-knit Gerogery community.

Norm reckons the "unique" pub markets are drawing in visitors because everyone, it seems, is now "lovin' local".

On Saturday, the couple took another leap of faith by opening a second gift shop for The Riverina Hamper Co at Lavington Square. And while it's relatively quiet at the centre thanks to the rise of COVID-19 cases on the Border, Norm says there's already corporate interest in Lisa's carefully sourced hampers.

The gift shop features many of the regional products in the hampers - olives, honey, licorice, sauces - as well as soaps, candles, one-off pieces of artwork and hand-crafted timber.

"We did a similar thing in Wagga with a pop-up shop," Norm explains.

"Our focus is supporting local producers - at Lavington we have resin boards from Albury and tea towels from Table Top - we have so many people that should be showcased."