ORANGE resident Gary Allen has made a career change from the mining industry to small business.
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Mr Allen and his wife Jennifer have purchased Brooks Metro Newsagency from owners John and Wendy Brooks and have renamed the outlet Orange Central Newsagency.
Mr Allen said apart from the name change the store would remain the same.
“We’ll continue to give the same friendly service,” he said.
“If there are [any products] you want, just approach me.”
Mr and Mrs Brooks are looking forward to their retirements and spending more time with their four children.
“We’ve worked hard for 13 years and we’ve enjoyed the interaction [with customers],” Mr Brooks said.
“We’ve had a lot of loyal customers over the years,” Mrs Brooks added.
Mrs Brooks encouraged people to support Mr Allen in his new venture.
“I think it’s very important to support family-owned small businesses.”
From Kings Cross to Cumnock
There will be a new face behind the taps at Cumnock’s historic Royal Hotel with Sydney promoter and “hangover-free vodka” distiller Darryl Tombleson taking over.
Mr Tombleson said he had been involved in running international events, including major rodeos, and bringing American and British 70s and 80s music acts to Australia and New Zealand.
He said he had also run nightclubs in Kings Cross and was keen to use his experience to make the Cumnock pub and the local area a destination for Sydney tourists.
“We’ve run some of the largest indoor and outdoor rodeo events in the world,” Mr Tombleson said.
He said he was considering a major event for the region.
“We would bring what you see in Sydney and Melbourne and bring it out here.”
He said he did not plan major changes at the pub but would be working with partner and licensee Ray King on upgrades.
And he is considering a cellar door outlet for his Hunter Valley-distilled Vitamin vodka – a drink he says won’t give you a hangover.
He said the secret was in the ingredients and the diamond-filtered process.
“We use organic sugar cane, the quality is so much better. It’s as smooth as silk,” he said.
Have a business story? Email Declan Rurenga at drurenga@fairfaxmedia.com.au.