By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
The Elms Hotel, located in Melbourne’s CBD, will soon cease trading after 160 years of operation.
The hotel has been operated by the Tierney family for over 30 years. The lease for the hotel is due to run out in January, and the developer who owns the site will be turning the building into offices.
While located in the heart of Melbourne, the hotel has maintained a classic, country feel. The Tierneys have always encouraged a feel of local community since Veronica and Basil took the lease more than 30 years ago. Their daughter Genevieve is the current licensee and has maintained the ambiance that her parents developed at the Elms Hotel.
“It has been a fantastic community experience. It’s not just us as a family, but other families too. We’ve been to weddings and funerals [of patrons]. We’ve seen people who’ve had had new job drinks here and retirement drinks here.”
Veronica, 89, still helps out when she can. The Tierneys have loved operating the hotel, especially as a family. “We’ll all miss it dreadfully,” states Genevieve.
Patrons can enjoy a pint or two at the Elms Hotel until the end of the year.