The storied rural pub of Mount Mary has come to market, as long-timers Peter and Tracey Anderson look to retirement and getting to know the grandkids.
The Andersons came to the quiet town of Mount Mary in 2000 to run their new investment, after 16 years in Alice Springs.
The pub is the main attraction in town, offering cold beer, pinball, pool table and jukebox, a commercial kitchen and two dining areas, beer garden, and years of memorabilia adorning the walls. There are also two double accommodation rooms, and seven powered sites for caravans and motorhomes.
Out back there is a big shed, a stone barn, chook house, parking for multiple cars, and beautifully tended gardens.
Since taking on the pub, the town of Mount Mary has boomed, doubling in population to reach double-digits. Ten people now call the town home.
Mount Mary is around 145 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, 40 minutes to the Barossa Valley, and 15 minutes from the Murray River. It is a little-known but popular stop on the grey nomad trail. Last year the Variety Bush Bash made it a checkpoint on the race route.
After 17 years, the Andersons are calling it a day, listing the freehold business with David Cook of Elders Real Estate Barossa.
The property comprises four titles. The pub occupies one title, and another holds a two-bedroom home with another large room suitable for sub-dividing or as a function space. The remaining two titles are land allotments at the rear.
The Mount Mary Hotel is licensed for up to 200 people, and able to trade seven days a week. It also counts a second cellar, satellite internet, and new backup generator.
Annual turnover is currently around $200k, but Cook believes there is plenty of upside in publicity, not being done to date.
“I don’t think you need to spend any money on this at all. It’s probably more about the promotion of the property with today’s platforms; the technology of attracting more people to the destination.
“I think you could market the hotel out to a lot of different groups.”
The asset has previously been offered for $385k, and the vendors are motivated.
The freehold going concern of the Mount Mary Hotel is being sold via Expressions of Interest, closing Friday, 3 August.
