Magpie and Stump LIFESTYLE CHANGE? BUY A HOTEL! WORDS: ROBERT LAIDLAW
For Paul Rosenich and partner Amanda Henry, taking on and reinvigorating the Magpie and Stump Hotel at Mintaro has been a complete lifestyle change, and a labour of love. So, how do a plasterer and a teacher firstly decide to buy a rundown pub, and then successfully turnaround that hotel’s fortunes to actually be in contention for an Australian Hotel Association SA award? The answer is hard work, good management and being loyal to the local community – while also becoming a major attraction for tourists. “Put simply, we just love old buildings and when the Magpie and Stump became available, we couldn’t resist,” Paul said. “We purchased an old building in Auburn, so when this opportunity came up, it seemed a natural fit. “But the Magpie and Stump had been closed for 10 months, the roof leaked, the floor was warped, bar and fridge equipment were 16 | Hotel SA | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U
sceptical. The rain would even run off the street into the cellars. It was a challenge!” When Paul and Amanda first purchased the hotel, they had a two-year-plan for the rebuild, which was all about hiring local people to get the job done. The plan was to re-engineer the venue, while keeping the feel of the ‘old girl’, as they did not want a carbon copy of a city pub. Dreams do come true and on March 24, 2018 the rejuvenated hotel was open to the public. “For us, owning this pub means we are the custodians, and fixing it up was important,” Paul said. “When we finally leave, we want the hotel and the town to still be thriving – it means that much to us. “My grandparents owned pubs, dad loved a drink in the bar, and now I can do both – work behind the bar and have a quiet one from the other side occasionally. Back to Contents
