BENDALONG STORE & CAFE

The Kensley / McBride company (consisting then of two sisters-  Jess & Kristy Robbins and their partners, Kevin Kensley & Matt McBride) purchased the business in May Of 2015 and enjoyed good local and tourism support with the business for over 3 years before fire destroyed the shop on September 11, 2018.

Believed to be caused by an electrical issue, a fire began in the roof of the store early on the afternoon of Tuesday 11th and quickly took hold throughout the shop, however the quick response and tenacity of local RFS and Fire  NSW Brigades from the greater area saved the remaining areas of the building throughout the afternoon.

Present that afternoon, Matt praised the swift attendance and collective efforts of all who attended and supported that day and is grateful for every action and word of support that day and since. He is mostly thankful that all the people in the building at the time escaped physically unharmed. 

Within days, with the support of the then Caravan Park operators, the Bendy Hub crew were back offering Coffee and hot food and basics for customers.  Dogged by logistic and compliance issues, the business moved back to the original shop site in a more expanded “Pop-up” shop model which served the community  across the 2018/2019 summer until a brief forced break. In October 2019 a more permanent ‘mini shop’ and the Coffee Hub were approved and operated through the horror fire season of 2019/ 2020.

Throughout and after the Black Summer, Jess, Kevin and Matt and their team navigated the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns and conditions and in  sometimes very challenging conditions maintained an ever expanding “mini shop” offer.

Demolition of the old shop site commenced on 2nd November 2020 and construction commenced on the new build in February 2021. We re-opened the shop doors on 15th October 2021. The community support was amazing and we want to thank everyone who helped us a long the way.