Redhead Villages residents are rapt the owners of the Bendalong Hub have restored some of their services and products with a pop-up hub.
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On September 11, the inside of Bendalong’s General Store and Cafe was gutted by a fire which started in the roof of the premises.
It has left residents of Manyana and Bendalong having to drive up to 30 kilometres to buy fuel, alcohol and some groceries.
“We have to go to Milton to fill up,” she said.
However, Ms Fisher, who visits the store to buy a latte and a newspaper daily, said it was wonderful owners Kevin and Jessica Kensley and Matt and Kristy McBride had restored some of their services with a pop-up store at the Holiday Haven Tourist Park.
“They’re struggling, but we all love them. It’s a community hub.”
Bendalong residents Steve and Simone Collison said the hub offered the opportunity to catch up.
“Everyone was a little disjointed without it,” Mr Collison said.
Mr and Mrs Collison feared visitors may be unprepared and could be left stranded without fuel if the service was not restored by the Christmas holiday period.
Owner Matt McBride shared a similar sentiment to the Collisons.
There was no other alternative for residents and tourists.
“If people have to drive a 50 to 60-kilometre round trip to get things they need, we don’t want them to have to do that,” Mr McBride said.
Kristy McBride said it would be ideal to start building works as soon as possible to ensure they could meet the needs of the community from December 24 through to February.
It would take numerous cars off the road during the holiday period, she said.
The co-owners said the insurance claim from the building’s owner was yet to be finalised.