BARBARA and Michael Sibley bought this idyllic Beechworth property six years ago after seeing an advertisement in The Weekly Times.
It was advertised as a nursery but with more than 30 years in the food and wine industry, Barbara and Michael were keen to transform it into a licensed cafe.
- BEECHWORTH, VICTORIA
- Property: commercial, lifestyle
- Size: 800 sqm
- Price: about $750,000 on a walk-in walk-out basis. Price and sale conditions negotiable
- Agent: LJ Hooker, Beechworth
- Contact: (03) 5728 1076
"We were looking around for something different to do and when we bought this property it was a very run-down little nursery. We could see that it could be turned into a cafe," Barbara said.
The couple spent six months transforming their find into a cafe, Bouchon at Botanicals, known to locals as Beechworth Botanicals, and creating a stunning garden oasis with many rare and exotic plants that Michael had collected during his years as an avid gardener.
"There are indoor and outdoor dining areas," Barbara said.
"People sit in little nooks and crannies around the garden.
"It's a really nice setting and it's lots of fun to run.
"There are lots of locals who come here every day.
"People seem to come in, and even if they're grumpy when they walk in the door, they sort of just let it go once they've been here for a while."
A two-storey house is located behind the cafe. The first floor serves as a commercial kitchen, while the second floor is ideal for use as a manager's or owner's residence.
A separate retail shop, Beechworth Blooms, located at the entrance to the cafe, is currently leased out on a month-by-month basis.
Barbara said Bouchon at Botanicals had played host to many garden clubs intrigued by Michael's unique collection of plants, but also was a popular spot for locals and tourists.
"People come here because they want to see the unique setting and I think because they know we're passionate and love what we do," Barbara said.
"We'd like to sell it to someone who has the same passions that we have."
