Great Ocean Rd general store offers waterfront sea change
The Kennett River general store is up for sale, offering a rare commercial freehold opportunity on the Great Ocean Road.
The midpoint township between Lorne and Apollo Bay is a popular stopover for tourists on the trail of resident koalas.
The store and adjoining three-bedroom residence occupy a prime location near the beach and caravan park, with great visual exposure to the tourist route that provides a steady stream of customers.
Commercial Insights: Subscribe to receive the latest news and updates
Great Ocean Road Real Estate, Lorne agent Michael Coutts says the freehold offers a walk-up start, with several years still to run on the lease to existing tenant Kafe Koala.
The Kennett River Holiday Park is just across the road from general store which has parking directly out the front.
Coutts says investors could sit back and enjoy a healthy commercial return with the possibility of further developing the site down the track.
“For as long as I can remember there has always been a general store operating out of there so you can rest assured it will always be a destination for the tourists,” he says.
The flat fenced 780sqm property at 15 Great Ocean Road, Kennett River includes the cafe, commercial kitchen and adjoining house, all just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, caravan park and river parkland.
Price hopes are $925,000.
Coutts says commercial freeholds are tight along the coast, even in Lorne and Apollo Bay, with stores in Wye River and Kennett River the only pit stops in-between.
The Wye River General Store was refurbished more than a decade ago and has become a popular destination.
“That is just through scarcity so it will be well received in the market place … there has been a lot of email inquiry,” he says.
He says there is scope for a refurbishment down the track, subject to council approval.
“The Wye River General Store underwent a major refurbishment probably eight years ago so you can rejuvenate it but it will be one that you would continue on as it,” he says.
This article from the Geelong Advertiser originally appeared as “Kennett River store presents rare coastal commercial freehold opportunity”.
