Geraldton Spudshed promoted as part of new homemakers centre development in Woorree

A private developer who owns a bordered up cafe in Woorree is in the process of formally submitting a plan to build a homemakers centre, which they are promoting will include a Spudshed supermarket.

After potato king Tony Galati made comments in January that Geraldton would likely be the next regional WA destination to see a Spudshed open in mid-2024, a land sale sign recently installed at the Old Ridge Cafe site on Horwood Road claims it’s the location for Geraldton’s next supermarket.

But it isn’t the Galati Family, or Spudshed, who are submitting the development, but the current owners of the Old Ridge Cafe site.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said it was “quite a large development” and the private developer was in the process of making a formal submission.

“They’ve been trying to get up some plans, which they haven’t submitted formally to my knowledge, to redevelop a homemakers centre/semi-retail centre out on that site,” he said.

Mr Van Styn said the City remained in contact with the property developers who own the closed down Old Ridge Cafe over a number of years and were working closely to redevelop the site.

“The City has been working with them due to being located on the future Geraldton bypass, the impacts of road movements and the location of their store there,” he said.

“I would have thought it was imminent and can’t be far away.”

Mr Van Styn said while there were talks of a Geraldton Spudshed for some time, seeing the sign go up was a positive step towards fruition.

“The City whilst yet to receive a full and formal development application does expect it to be forthcoming sometime this year and will be assessed on its merits at that point,” he said.

Spudshed has been contacted for comment.