Grand plans for a second storey gourmet restaurant overlooking the Murray River at Tocumwal will finally come to fruition later this year.
New business American Social was awarded the tender for the main restaurant space in the Tocumwal Foreshore Building on Monday.
It is described as an “industrial-meets-neon bar” that features American street food from across the country, specialising in cocktails and craft beers, share bowls, smoked meats, sports and entertainment.
Owner Steve Raftellis, originally from Berrigan, is currently looking at a “soft launch” opening in about mid-September, followed by a grand opening at a later date.
The awarding of the tender comes six months after the foreshore building was handed to council.
Construction started in the later half of last year, two years after state funding was initially secured for the project.
Berrigan Shire Mayor Matt Hannan said he “can’t wait“ for the new offering to open, which has been hotly anticipated.
“It’s exciting that we can finally announce that American Social will be coming to Tocumwal to take the top tenancy of the foreshore building,” he said.
“The anticipation, the intrigue, and our idyllic views will bring many a local, visitors and tourists to our community!”
Council CEO Karina Ewer said the addition of a specialty restaurant at the foreshore was considered a key part of the foreshore redevelopment project, which is designed to encourage new investment and tourism products and services to the area.
She said the beauty of American Social’s vision is that it would not “be direct competition with the current offerings in Tocumwal, but will meet council’s goal of providing a destination dining experience with unrivalled views of the Murray”.