By Amira Kim
In a semi-rural town where one shop services the whole area, Jim & Harry’s Lotsa Food is the heart of Mount Colah.
Established in 1989, the single shop on the block has serviced residents in all aspects over the past 36 years. From breakfast through dinner, groceries, even DVD and video rentals back in the day.
“There was nothing better than getting movies, burgers, games on a Friday night,” said Evan Efstathiou.
Evan is the son of Jim Efstathiou, one half of the Jim & Harry’s ownership. Harry passed in 2005, but the business has remained in the family and has evolved with the generations.
Evan grew up with the store and is now at the helm of it with his father.
“About seven years ago we decided to make a big shift in a lot our recipes and the way we made our burgers,” said the younger Efstathiou.
The shop uses its unique position in the community to sustain other local businesses in the Northern region.
“We have a bunch of suppliers in this area where we get everything from.”
Sourcing meat daily from the local butcher in Mount Kuring-gai; fruit, vegetables, and eggs from a local independent grower; and baked goods and bread from the bakery in Berowra, the shop acts almost as a “farm to table” outlet for the area.
“Other people help you, you help them, I think that’s very important in a community especially like Mount Colah,” said Efstathiou. “It’s been a very tight community for a very long time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The support doesn’t stop at the menu either.
“We donate money to some of the local football teams, cricket teams, whenever there’s a fete or a school festival we hand out vouchers for raffles and things like that.”
With donation boxes for the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Brigade and Marine Rescue Hawkesbury service, along with local business cards lining the counter, locals know they can count on Jim & Harry’s as a hub for the community.
Having regulars that frequent the shop for over two decades, Jim & Harry’s knows that the support is reflected right back.
With 36 years behind them, and many more to come, this heart will continue to beat into the future.
Featured image: Jim & Harry’s cafe and takeaway is the heart of Mount Colah. Photo: Amira Kim
