Shepparton’s first Lazy Moe’s restaurant is open, with the Australiana venue opening its doors for the first time on Thursday, July 7.
The Guida family, which owns and runs the chain of seven restaurants across Victoria, announced it was launching in early August last year and despite several lockdowns and setbacks since then, it has opened the doors on its Wyndham St venture.
Grazia Guida, daughter of founders Lucy and Michael, said it was a bit of a homecoming for the family, with Michael born and raised in Kyabram.
Some of that heritage is on the walls of the new store, with photos of orchards and fruit workers throwing back to the family’s roots with both Miss Guida’s grandfathers working on orchards after moving from Italy.
“We’ve tried to keep it within Shepp with the photos of the orchards ... hopefully it’s got that warm feel which will transfer through to the working class of Shepparton,” Miss Guida said.
“We’ve got a good crew together, that help us with the set up pretty regularly on all of the stores and local support has been fantastic.
“We’ve just had nothing but warm welcome, so it’s been really really nice.
“It’s been a really nice experience.
“It’s just been really humbling and pretty exciting to be here.
“And it’s been an overwhelming positive response, which has just been a pleasure.”
And the style of food people can expect?
“Big,” Miss Guida said with a laugh.
“We do big meals and a very family-orientated restaurant, we’re pretty well-known for our pancakes and milkshakes but it’s pretty multicultural.”
Lazy Moe’s will be open for dine-in dinner, before transitioning to breakfast and lunch service once staff members have been trained and the restaurant finds its feet.