by Suzan Ryan – editor, bars&clubs
Sydney’s Swillhouse Group – owner of Shady Pines, Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice and the award-winning The Baxter Inn – transferred ownership of their most recent bar, Earl’s Juke Joint, on King Street, Newtown, to former bar manager Pasan Wijesena, on June 30.
“There was always a plan to buy out the boys,” says Wijesena. “As the majority owner, and approaching the end of financial year, there was an opportunity to take on full ownership of Earls, allowing it to be fully family owned, so I was happy to take it.
“We had been operating as our own entity anyway, so it made sense both from a business sense and also personally.
“It's business as usual for the bar. We will always tip our hat to Swillhouse for giving us our start, and you can still expect the same dedication to quality and fun, but it's time to move on and blaze our own trail.
“We have a great team and we're really excited about the next chapter in Earl's history. Newtown, in general, is blowing up and we're proud to be part of that.”
Earl's Juke Joint, at 407 King Street, Newtown, opened one year ago today.
Photo: ©timeout.com/sydney: Anna Kucera