Fuel dries up at Cooyar
Difficult decision for cafe
MCCOY’S Cafe owners Garry McCoy and Julie Schultz have made a difficult decision to no longer trade as a fuel retailer.
The owners took over the store in 2016 when it was previously known as Cooyar Food and Fuel.
Mr McCoy and Ms Schultz have been working on significant renovations and upgrades to expand the venue’s food and cafe service.
“Unfortunately, in the current fuel environment, it has become increasingly difficult for us to continue to operate as a small independent fuel retailer,” Mr McCoy said.
“Rising fuel prices and increasing operating costs have certainly contributed to our decision to stop selling fuel.
“We have small tanks and buy fuel in very low volumes; therefore, we pay a higher cost per litre and higher delivery fees than larger retailers who buy in much larger volumes.
“Unfortunately, this creates a lot of angst for customers at the bowsers who are unhappy with our prices and sadly our staff often wear the brunt of the complaints about pricing.
“Combined with increasing operating costs such as electricity and insurance, fuel sales are simply no longer a viable part of our business.
The cafe is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch from 7am to 4.30pm daily.
Fuel customers travelling the New England Highway can purchase fuel at Yarraman 29km north of Cooyar or Crows Nest 46km south of Cooyar.
“We will continue to focus on growing and expanding our core cafe business,” Mr McCoy said.