Breathing Some Life Into Crown
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday May 15, 2004
WOLLONGONG Lord Mayor Alex Darling this week discovered Hog's Breath was better than no breath at all, especially when it involved the creation of 35 jobs in the heart of Wollongong.
As Cr Darling officially opened the new restaurant that would breathe extra life into lower Crown St, he discovered the local businessmen behind the first Wollongong franchise had further plans to increase the Hog's Breath Cafe presence in the region.
Franchisee Jayson Smith wouldn't reveal any more details until the Crown St business was well established.
But the plans he and silent partner Mark Dalli had for the region would be unveiled within a couple of years, he said.
But it wouldn't take as long as the 13-year search for the right location for the first Hog's Breath Cafe in Wollongong.
Sites previously touted for a Hog's Breath Cafe included North Beach and Northgate, Fairy Meadow.
Mr Smith said 83 Crown St looked like a good location with great potential to attract casual diners from Wollongong.
Being so close to the tourism centre, and near other food outlets on the main thoroughfare between the shopping mall and the beach, the licensed restaurant would also appeal to tourists.
Mr Smith, a former carpenter and hardware chain trade sales representative, said the Crown St business was also part of a career and personal sea change.
Mr Dalli had spent the last two years encouraging him to join him in a Hog's Breath franchise, and finally convinced him to change career when he returned from a recent trip to Thailand.
During that trip Mr Smith had popped the question and became engaged to girlfriend Mel Jarman, of Shellharbour.
Mr Dalli opened the Shellharbour Hog's Breath Cafe 21/2 years ago. He said its success showed there was definitely demand in the Illawarra for the casual dining experience offered by the licensed restaurant chain.
Business at Shellharbour City Centre was going so well that the restaurant was attracting about 5000 diners a month, or 60,000 a year.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex Darling said he was pleased to see a recognised brand providing employment in the hospitality field and more dining choice in the city's entertainment precinct.
The steakhouse, which can seat up to 110 people, has already provided 35 Wollongong people with employment. The Wollongong outlet is the 49th Hog's Breath franchise in Australia.
The first was opened at Airlie Beach in 1989.
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury