Elwood's forced to pivot as Lords Place makeover leads to 70 percent crash in business
November 11, 2022
By Peter Holmes
It's a brave council that gets between the barbecue lovers of Orange and their low-and-slow pulled pork and beef brisket.
But such is life on Lords Place as Orange City Council ramps up its plan to get the first stage of the $1.4 million upgrade done before the Christmas rush begins.
Elwood's barbecue restaurant is run by Smoking Brothers, and has indoor dining and a courtyard, and does a lot of takeaway.
It says it has been smashed by the disruption to street parking caused by construction in recent weeks.
Thursday was its worst day of trade ever, down nearly 70 percent on usual.
"Obviously without needing to yell it from the roof tops, the Lords Place upgrade is taking a toll on business," the business said in a social media post.
"Thursday 10/11/22 was the quietest day in the history of Smoking Brothers, with our trade being reduced to a third of its normal trade."
In order to stem the loss of business the restaurant is now offering to deliver food to cars unable to find a spot to park.
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"Can’t get a park out the front, yeah we hear ya," said the post. "Due to issues with parking and access to our restaurant we are offering a car park pick up service for the foreseeable future ... to make picking up your food painless.
"Just pull up in our car park off Kite Street or a parking space on the street and we will bring the food to you."
The restaurant said Facebook messaging was the preferred method of ordering.
"Please be patient as we now try and navigate the newest business hurdle we get the pleasure of dealing with."
Elwood's was supported in the comments to the post by local businesses including Alfio's Pizzeria and Benson's Cafe.
Salvo Sciuto from Alfio's told The Orange News Examiner on Friday night that business was down by around 30 to 40 percent thanks to the disruption on the street.
Read more on the Lords Place makeover here.
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