Adelaide Hills

End of a chapter as Hahndorf fish & chip shop closes to make way for a motel

After 13 years, the only fish and chips destination in Hahndorf is set to shut its doors this month to make way for motel on the main street. Images: hahndorfsa.org.au

The only fish and chips destination in Hahndorf is set to shut its doors this month to make way for the construction of a tourist accommodation centre on the artisan village’s main street.

Hahndorf Fish and Chips, a popular eatery that has resided at 44 Mount Barker Road for 13 years, will soon face the bulldozers alongside two other local businesses, Grund’s Gourmet café and Saigon Viet Rolls.

Image via Google Maps

Known locally and around the Adelaide Hills region for their simple yet delicious fish and chips, prawns, and crispy calamari, the closure of Hahndorf Fish and Chips signals the end of a chapter in Hahndorf and the end of a career for longtime owner John Standley, who plans to retire after the shop officially closes down.

The costs attributed to running a fish and chips shop, which include the setup of important equipment like extractor fans, fryers, and oil vats, make it incredibly difficult for traders to relocate, especially a small business owner like Mr. Standley. So despite the availability of numerous vacant storefronts in Hahndorf, he’ll be hanging up the boots in less than a month.

In total, this development will force three local businesses on Hahndorf’s main street to close their doors. Currently, it remains unclear when construction will begin, but the development has been described on PlanSA as a “mixed use development comprising 29 accommodation units”. The new building will also feature a reception, laundry facilities, and a pair of shop tenancies.

As one of South Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting around one million visitors annually, Hahndorf’s business sector is largely populated by local traders, and its the locals that have been expressing their concern following the news of this development.

Located just 30 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, the German settlement and State Heritage Area has experienced a surge in tourism in the last few years, and is often labelled a “must see” destination for travellers visiting South Australia.

While this increase in visitation has been beneficial for businesses, Hahndorf locals are concerned that the Main Street already has enough accommodation for tourists, leading to higher levels of traffic in the area.

One commenter on Facebook questioned whether the village needed “any more visitors and vehicles in the main street”, and complained that residential streets are becoming gridlocked at peak hours.

Another said, “The Main Street is not a location for a motel. It is a heritage Main Street? More traffic!”

While this new development is likely to bolster local business by bringing more tourists to the village, it comes at the cost of three locally-owned small businesses and the disappointment of Hahndorf residents.

Nevertheless, Mr. Standley, aged 78, can retire with pride knowing he was deemed a “legend” by his customers, many of whom believed his shop was the best destination for fish and chips in the Adelaide Hills.

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