By Michael Sinclair-Jones
TOODYAY’S colourful Cola Café (pictured behind the Freemasons Hotel, which was also recently back on the market after only a few months with new owners) is the latest leading local business to be offered for sale.
It joins the Toodyay Auto Centre and garden centre on the market after the Victoria Hotel and IGA store were sold last summer.
Wendouree Tea Rooms closed last month after the owners’ death but will reopen Friday and Saturday nights after a sale fell through.
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The Cola Cafe is being offered for sale as a business for $285,000.
The building and land are also for sale for $495,000.
Buildings and land occupied by the Toodyay Auto Centre and adjoining Toodyay Garden and Outdoor Centre are on the market for a total $775,000.
The two businesses that lease the property are also for sale.
The garden centre is on the market for about $95,000 including stock and equipment, and the adjoining vehicle repair workshop is selling for $185,000 “walk in-walk out” after several months on the market.
It is understood that prospective buyers had to withdraw cash bids because banks are reportedly reluctant to finance new business loans for country investments.
The historic Wendouree Tearooms was closed without notice last month and missed the Toodyay Fibre Festival which brought a large number of visitors to town.
A sign on the Stirling Terrace cafe’s front window read “opening soon”.
Much talk has centred on the fate of the heritage-listed Freemasons Hotel which also shut its doors without notice last month.
The pub and TAB betting outlet was sold last February to a company linked to the family of former WA Premier Colin Barnett, who owns a rural property in Julimar.
New hotel manager Chilli Snider said there were two recent offers to buy the pub – including one from a “well-known hotel group” – but there was no agreement on a deal and the hotel was no longer for sale.
“The immediate intention is to restore the hotel and proceed as planned,” Mr Snider said.
“Renovation works were always scheduled to take place mid-year.
“Given the venue has been fairly quiet lately, it was an opportune time to begin those works now.
“The renovations are cosmetic and not structural.
“They will consist of painting, fresh carpets and appliance upgrades, as well as a few surprises which people will have to wait for.
“Hopefully the venue will open to full capacity in time for the Spring season.”
The town’s other hotel – the Victoria Hotel – and local IGA store were sold to Perth business interests last summer.
