UNCLE JACK’S SET TO CLOSE
BLACKMAN’S BREWERY COMING TO THE GROVE
POPULAR Ocean Grove cafe Uncle Jack’s will serve its final coffees today as it makes way for Blackman’s Brewery.
A favourite of The Terrace shopping strip, the cafe is closing its doors.
In a Facebook post, the cafe said it was with a “heavy heart” it was ceasing trading.
“The last 12 months have been an absolute rollercoaster with so many highs and wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you and for that we are truly grateful and owe a massive thank you to all our amazing customers, our legendary suppliers, our wonderful staff and we are so grateful for the support the Ocean Grove community has shown us,” the post read.
“We are trading as usual until close on Friday so please don’t be strangers and pop in so we can see you one last time before we leave.
“Whilst we are sad it’s our chapter ending, we are so excited to know that Blackman’s Brewery and Burger Bar will be taking over the location and we know that what they offer Ocean Grove will be epic.”
Friends Ben O’Halloran, Sam Evans and Adrien Augert opened the Ocean Grove store in 2015 and it was an instant hit.
Within weeks the kitchen was serving 650 plates a day and baristas were making more than 800 coffees.
At one point there was a waiting list more than 50 names long.
The business changed owners last year.
Blackman’s Brewery has plans for a burger bar at the site, which is expected to open on August 15.
The Ocean Grove store will be the business’ third operation. Founded by Renn Blackman, the brewery and restaurant blossomed in Torquay in 2014 before expanding to Geelong in 2016.
He never anticipated the brewery’s success.
Mr Blackman said the brewery would release a special Ocean Grove beer in celebration.
“It’s been super positive, everyone’s been pretty excited so far,” he said.
“We’ll be keeping it (the shop) reasonably similar with our fun culture.”
The burger bar will serve five to eight different burgers.