By Tate Papworth
Kleo and Nick Mitris have opened the west’s first Hunky Dory fish and chip shop. The brother-and-sister team chats with Tate Papworth about the business, Brimbank and the future.
What’s your connection with Brimbank?
NM: We’ve lived in the area since 1985. I came here when I was 17 and haven’t left.
How has Brimbank changed over the years?
KM: When we came here, none of this was here. There was no Watergardens or real urban areas – it was all farms. We’ve seen it develop and grow. It’s like a second generation has come through.
So you’ve recently opened a Hunky Dory fish and chip shop at Watergardens.
KM: It’s been a real baptism of fire. We expected to be busy, but nowhere near as busy as it has been. We’ve actually had people from other stores come in to lend a hand, which has been fantastic.
How busy has it been?
NM: This morning we had people lining up since 10.30. We’ve been open for about a month now and we haven’t had a moment where the store has been empty.
So it’s been embraced by the community?
KM: Absolutely. People are coming from St Albans, Melton, Sunbury. The train stops at Watergardens these days and people have been getting off from everywhere which has been good.
Given the success, do you reevaluate your
goals?
NM: We don’t change our goals, but we have to get ready for summer. We want our outdoor area to be a destination point and we’ll be open late. This is the first Hunky Dory in the west and we want to make it something the community can be proud of.
