The Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores were destroyed by recent bushfires, significantly impacting numerous local businesses and producers.
Trevor Peeler, who managed the Cool Stores for 50 years, reported that the facility was directly in the path of the fire. The business, established in 1917, served approximately 85 customers, including local apple growers, wineries, and craft brewers, by providing essential refrigerated storage.
The bushfires in Harcourt and Ravenswood resulted in the destruction of substantial liquid stock, ingredients, packaging, equipment, chiller units, and distilleries belonging to these businesses.
Winemaker Gilles Lapalus lost all his equipment and most of his stock, including museum and 10-year-old solera wines, which he described as irreplaceable. Ken Gilchrist and Kaye Graves of GilGraves vineyard lost an estimated 97% of their stored stock but expressed resolve to rebuild.
Conna Mallett, co-director of Love Shack Brewing Co, lost 350 kegs and 1,400 slabs of beer, along with packaging, totaling an estimated $120,000. Doug Falconer of Shedshaker Brewery estimated losing about 80% of his stock and most packaging, emphasizing the Cool Stores' critical role as a cold storage facility and community hub for producers.
In response to the disaster, the community has initiated fundraising efforts. Tim Sproal, owner of Boomtown Winery, organized an event that raised over $130,000, with contributions from local venues, winemakers, and brewers. Peeler expressed hope that the Cool Stores could be rebuilt to better suit customer needs, though many uncertainties remain.