The Thousands

Around the corner from a seaweed stricken but pleasant Westenport Bay beach is the Merricks General Wine Store. It’s not what you’d expect from a general store around these parts (the ‘wine’ bit kind of gives it away). There are no ice blocks or Tip Top breads, just top food and darn good coffee.

The whole place is super nice, bordering on nahce. One side of the converted store is now a cellar door, which is set up for tastings or drinkings or buying. It represents three wineries in the area – Elgee Park, Baillieu and Qualy Door – and the staff kindly offer tours of each for interested folk. The other side is a slightly fancy cafe and bistro, which extends out onto a vine-fringed patio. In the middle is a counter and a cake stand, packed with impressive cheese and chocolate things that all people on holidays should eat.

The owners have kept the 1924 façade, but restored the interior with woods, some sturdy benches and industrial lights, which give the place a utilitarian but tasteful feel. The food is similar. We ate half an avocado stuffed with goat’s cheese, served with plain toast. Then experienced food envy due to a breakfast tortilla and, later on, some corned beef. It’s important to mention that the place is not back-beach cheap, it’s aimed at a different sort of local, or holiday-maker, but that doesn’t make it bad. Plus there’s a good caf’ over Point Leo way, which still sells a mean post-swim ice block.