PASSENGERS TO DROP INTO ANCHOR’S REST
AS the Spirit of Tasmania prepares to dock into its new home in Geelong, the owner of a popular Rippleside cafe has been selected to run the terminal’s cafe.
Lucky Thapliyal, who owns Bean & Base Cafe on Melbourne Rd, will run the Anchor’s Rest venue in the terminal.
Sunday marks the start of a new era for the Spirit of Tasmania as it bids farewell to Station Pier in Port Melbourne, where it was stationed for 37 years, and is welcomed to its new terminal, estimated to be worth $135m, in North Shore.
Mr Thapliyal said he was very excited by this new opportunity after he bid for the contract more than two months ago.
“I took a chance on this because Bean and Base has been doing so well and has a name for itself now,” Mr Thapliyal said.
Mr Thapliyal opened Bean and Base in 2014 and has been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years.
“Our team at Anchor’s Rest cafe is excited to start greeting passengers and sharing some of our local knowledge with the visitors,” he said.
The cafe will open on Sunday when the Spirit of Tasmania cruises into its new home and aims to cater to the needs of all passengers by offering breakfast items, sandwiches, pies and quality coffee.
Spirit of Tasmania chief executive officer Bernard Dwyer said the company was pleased a local business would operate the cafe.
“I’m confident that Anchor’s Rest cafe will quickly become a firm favourite with our passengers,” Mr Dwyer said.
The ship will sail into Corio Quay for its maiden voyage from Devonport, Tasmania, on Sunday morning.
The Geelong community is invited to welcome the ship as it sails into Geelong from 7.30am, with St Helens beach and Rippleside Park offering prime viewing spots. The first passengers will disembark from 8.15am with the terminal official opening at 9am.
The Spirit of Tasmania expects to carry about 450,000 passengers a year.