Page 51 - Tropic Magazine Issue 26

TROPIC • HOSPITALITY

rather than competing. This in turn helps
build the industry rather than one single
business. We respect and care for the local
community and have built our businesses
around this. COVID-19 has further
reinforced how important our local
customer base is. During the lockdown
period we’ve had to pivot and develop
parts of our business quicker than we
thought was possible. The distillery
changed to produce hand sanitiser and
the bars came together to develop an
online bottled cocktail website. It’s been a
tough period, but it appears we will come
under The Hospo Group banner. We have out bigger and stronger.
extended company shares to two of our What does the future hold for
Hospitality key staff members (Andrew Pare and Hospo Group?
Wolf Lane Distillery is our main focus
Benedikt Pape) to help grow and build
as we continue to grow across Australia.
pioneers the business. With Wolf Lane Distillery We have joined forces with beverage
growing at a rapid rate we will likely seek
strategic partners or investment to scale distributors Swift + Moore & Bev Co to
NEXT LEVEL the business considerably. An equity help distribute and market our gins and
crowd funding round is also not out of liqueurs across Australia. We are also
Tropic talks to Darren Barber the question as we believe FNQ locals very excited for our newest venue The Fox
from the Hospo Group to about could play an integral part in growing Small Bar, currently awaiting approval
some big moves in the evolution the brand. from Cairns Regional Council. The Fox
will be a small neighbourhood wine and
of the company. What does the new structure mean
for Cairns and the local hospitality cocktail bar located in Stratford.
Darren Barber and his business partners industry?
are just getting warmed up. Not in any The Hospo Group will continue to build
kind of startup way by any means – their and develop our existing business and
company is nearly 5 years old and their will remain on the lookout for new
network of bars, a distillery and a brewery venues. Our company’s core value is to
are firmly established locally and, continue to raise the standard of night
increasingly, nationally. Rather, Darren culture and to activate forgotten spaces
and his colleagues are constantly on the in Cairns. Not to mention creating
hunt for opportunities and expansion, more jobs and reinvesting in our local
from new products and venues to community.
national expansion and more. The pursuit What are some of the key lessons
of excellence and a bold entrepreneurial you’ve learnt in business over the past
spirit drives their company forward. So, few years? Wolves, refreshed
perhaps it’s no surprise to learn they’ve Cairns is a tricky town to run a business
overhauled their company structure with at the best of times and hospitality is a It was the small bar that started it all
a view to further growth. Tropic sat down volatile industry, so our journey hasn’t for the Hospo Group – and sparked
with Darren to find out more. been an easy one. The main lesson is to a revolution in the Cairns bar scene
What sparked the launch of the choose your staff carefully as they are the along the way. Now, Three Wolves
Hospo Group? front and face of the business. They need enters a new phase after significant
The Hospo Group has always been to represent your brand and values. We renovations during the coronavirus
there however with the launch of Wolf have a great team and company culture. lockdown period. Head down to the red
Lane Distillery we decided to separate We have also learnt to work alongside brick laneway on Abbott St to discover
all business into individual companies our competition and help one another the new additions including new booth
seating, new back bar shelves, dimly
Award winner light whisky cabinets, timber floors
and an overhaul of the sound and
A round of Wolf Lane Distillery’s recent accolades acoustic system. The best bit? The new
Australian Liqueur Distillery of the Year New York International Spirits Awards back bar shelves have allowed the
Silver Medal Navy Strength Gin - New York International Spirits Awards Three Wolves crew to stock over 300
Gold Medal Tropical Gin - Australian Gin Awards whiskies along with an ever-growing
World’s Best Navy Strength Gin - The Gin Guide Awards selection of spirits.
Silver Medal The Barista Coffee Liqueur - London Spirits Awards
Silver Medal Navy Strength Gin - London Spirts Awards
Bronze Medal Tropical Gin - London Spirits Awards MORE: threewolves.com.au

51 • tropicnow.com.au