A hinterland distilling operation that has already spawned a bistro and smokehouse has now opened its latest addition.
Pomona Distilling Co opened Pomona Providores in the town from which both take their name, a week before the business’s fifth birthday this month.
Located two doors down from the distillery in Reserve Street, Pomona Providores sells a range of the smoked meats that have earned the company a following, as well as other gourmet treats.
Pomona Distilling Co co-founder Scott Bavay-Yeates said the business was pleased to be able to expand the offering in town.
“The business at Pomona started initially in terms of giving my father, as a chemist, somewhere to sell his gin, but what it’s grown into is a business – we had 500 people for lunch on Saturday,” he said.
“It’s all about showcasing Pomona. Pomona is the heart of the hinterland.
“Pomona is also the goddess of abundance, so it’s great to have all locally grown and locally made products in there.”
Chef Gene Quinlan said the smoked meats had grown in popularity since they were introduced to the bistro menu, and Providores allowed customers to buy the same products to take home.
“One of our owners, Robyn, brought in a smoker and from there the products and interest has just grown, and that is now a real future for the restaurant and the distillery but also in our new Providores,” he said.
“As our interest has grown in smoking, we’ve had a great response to that. A lot of our customers like being a part of it.
“They are very inquisitive and want to know the products, and we thought we wanted to be in a position for people to take home a little bit of the offering with them.
“All of our smoked meats are in here – such as beef brisket, pulled pork ribs, whole smoked chicken – and the offering continues to grow with demand.”
He said as well as selling the smoked meats, Pomona Providores would sell Pomona Distilling Co’s smokehouse packs and a range of sauces and condiments developed to accompany the smoked meats.
Pomona Distilling Co and Pomona Providores support local suppliers, such as Pomona Honey, Noosa Reds Tomatoes and Forage Farms.
The businesses employ about 30 mostly local people, including kitchen and front-of-house staff.
Pomona Providores will be open the same hours as the distillery and bistro, from 9am until close of business Wednesday to Sunday.
