Being able to pivot and respond has breathed life into a new business venture for Wodonga businessmen David Kapay and Ken Little.
Miss Amelie Gourmet opened its doors on Wednesday after four months of planning, preparation and working towards this gourmet journey.
A $1 million commercial kitchen and retail project in Wodonga will be the headquarters for Miss Amelie Gourmet, which will also open stores at Wagga and Canberra within weeks.
Little, a director of the business, said Wodonga was a great place to start a business such as this.
He also said retaining local talent in the city was a key factor is his decision to come on board.
“It was a great opportunity. We have a lot of local talent,” he said.
“David is a world-class chef and when COVID hit, this was a way of securing the local hospitality scene a bit.
“We are employing eight chefs, three retail people as well as delivery drivers and there will be more to come. That’s 12 or more people we are creating jobs for.
“This wouldn’t have happened without COVID. Keeping David in Wodonga was a must and Miss Amelie Gourmet has been borne out a pandemic.”
Miss Amelie Gourmet was one of the first businesses to go through Wodonga Council’s Better Approvals Process.
The Better Approvals Process is a streamlined business permit application process.
Wodonga Council understands it can be difficult for small business owners to navigate the complex requirements of local council.
The Better Approvals Process gives business owners access to a concierge who guides them through the entire process.
Little said the process was easy and made working with Wodonga Council a lot easier.
“It was really terrific,” he said.
“I found everyone easy to talk to and having the one contact made the process really easy.”
Kapay, who established Miss Amelie in June 2016 at Junction Square and wine bar Little Miss in 2018, said people would be able to enjoy restaurant quality food in the comfort of their own home.
“We want to have this world-class offering here in Wodonga,” he said.
“Quality food and local produce available such as gourmet pies, dry-aged seafood, a world-class dry store as well as a wine cellar with great reds, whites and champagnes.
Miss Amelie Gourmet is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to noon, Saturday. It is located at 6 Michael Drive, Wodonga.