IN RESURRECTING an historic butchery, it was important to James and Hayley Collicoat to get back more than what they had lost.
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The couple has re-opened their shop 12 months to the day fire ripped through their business, their shed and terrifyingly close to their home with their five sleeping children inside.
Ms Collicoat said it had been an emotional, up-and-down process to piece the shop back together but a process they had taken great care in doing.
Bricks previously coated in chipboard were salvaged from the rubble to be put back in place, uncovered. The original pitch ceiling in the 160-year-old shop, which was first opened as a bakery is exposed.
A heritage hole behind the counter remains pride of place in what Ms Collicoat said was an important feature for customers to see the guys at work.
Ms Collicoat hoped said the design, inspired partly by The Forge's tilt to history in Ballarat, would make Avoca residents proud.
"This is not about us. We have other local providers putting their produce into our business and we wouldn't be back without them," Ms Collicoat said. "That's how important it is. We support each other."
Pyrenees Premium Cuts opened in June 2016 after the town had sustained a long period without a butchery. The Collicoats' focus from the outset was to work with the community and help showcase the region for residents and tourists calling through town.
Community support, they said, had been instrumental in helping restore their Avoca shop while they have continued to operate in Maryborough from a shop opened not long before the fire.
"We've been really lucky. We feel everyone's behind us," Ms Collicoat said. "It's nice to see everyone coming back in the shop and we can do what we do best. I've been really overwhelmed.
"From the night of the fire I rang the insurer and my whole focus since we burned down was to get back up...I was lost in focusing in what we had to do. It's been difficult for James and I but we can finally believe we're here."
We've been really lucky. We feel everyone's behind us.
- Hayley Collicoat
The shop still needs finishing on some interior design features but, with the outside rebuilt, and new equipment operational, Ms Collicoat said it was a relief to get back to business.
The Avoca shop is once again working with regional suppliers like Moonambel Gap Olives and Summerfield winery, which also bakes sourdough bread, for complementary products.
Ms Collicoat was keen to start pre-cooked meals, beyond the standard stir-fry and pastries for busy customers.
Pyrenees Premium Cuts is also awaiting state and national sausage king judging, following honours last year in the wake of the fire.
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