Second Chance Win for Crown Inn Kingston

In another life, Tom Gardner might be rising daily before dawn and fishing the Kingston waters as one of the South-East’s pre-eminent lobster fishermen.

But in this one, he sells lagers instead of lobsters as owner of the town’s Crown Inn Hotel.

Although the prized delicacy of the sea is not entirely off the table at the Crown.

“We sell lobster in season,” said Tom.

“Whilst lobster does not feature on our main menu, we have a great relationship with our local processors Lacepede Seafood who will have a freshly cooked one to us in quick time to accompany our beautiful salad bar for any lobster wanting visitor."

Tom might just tuck into one himself to celebrate winning the AHA|SA’s $3,000 second chance draw for early renewal of his association membership.

“We always pay on time to try to win one of these awards and we’ve finally managed to win a prize so it’s fantastic,” he said.

Tom’s path to becoming a publican was a cocktail of mathematics and fate with a generous sprinkle of family support.

He was born into one of Kingston’s long-established lobster fishing empires.

“But there wasn’t a spot on the boat when I was growing up,” he said.

“I was the youngest son so I had to find something else.

“After travelling in my early twenties the opportunity came to purchase the hotel and I was fortunate to have members of my wider family who could help me realise my dream.”

That was back in 2008 and he has been an AHA member since pouring his first beer.

For Tom, AHA membership is a no-brainer.

“I’m really happy with the guidance and help they give us, they’re always only a phone call away.

“They’re always going in to bat for the hotel industry in South Australia.

Investing In The Business

Now with just the immediate family owning the hotel, Tom remains committed to investing in the business and quickly settled on plans about how to spend his winnings.

“We just finished (updating) our dining room through Concept Collections and we’ve got some outdoor dining we’d like to replace so we’re probably going to go down the track of getting some new tables and chairs for our alfresco area,” Tom said.

But his ambitions for the Crown don’t end there.

“We’re building a big bottle shop this year,” he said.

“We’ve got a small bottle shop – a little section literally four metres by three metres. It’s over the counter and it’s labour intensive so we’re building a new one from scratch.”

He also has longer term plans to expand and upgrade the pub’s accommodation arm and is in the process of acquiring land behind the property.

“Nothing five star, just clean and comfortable rooms for weary travellers who will appreciate accommodation better than our old fashioned pub rooms,” he said.

“They help with all aspects, everything from IR, HR, pay rates, signage and helping with a couple of areas where we’ve had our licence adjusted.”

It will complement the Crown’s homely and cozy front bar which Tom laments is becoming a rarity.

“We still have a decent front bar trade which is a little bit unusual in this day and age.

“We’ve got a happy hour and some regulars with a nice feel to our front bar.

“It’s not too big so 30 people in there looks quite busy.

“We’d like to think that everywhere had a full front bar every night but it’s just not a reality.”