Beasley’s Nursery & Tea House passing the torch after 50 years
For more than half a century, Beasley’s Nursery & Tea House has been a much-loved Warrandyte landmark where locals and visitors wander among its gardens and enjoy tea with friends. Now, for the first time in 50 years, the iconic property at 195 Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road is being offered for sale by the family who opened it in 1975.
The site covers 10,730 square metres with an impressive 150 metres of frontage in a prime Warrandyte location, which is just a 30-minute drive from Melbourne CBD.
For brothers Neil and Bill Beasley, the decision to sell was not taken lightly.
“After 50 years of dedication, Bill and I have decided it’s time for a well-earned retirement,” says Neil Beasley, son of founders Ron and Merle.
“Running a business that’s open 363 days a year has been a true labour of love, but we are ready to step into the next chapter of our lives. Our main focus now is to enjoy more time with family, especially our 15 grandchildren, and to attend to our own gardens.”
Letting go of the family business has been bittersweet, as Neil said, it’s a part of their identity.
“The nursery and teahouse has been more than a business, it’s been the heart of our family for generations. Bill and I have worked here our entire adult lives, the majority of which was alongside our parents. All eight of our children, plus many nieces and nephews, have worked here over the years. Three of our children now operate their own successful landscaping businesses.
“The lifelong friendships we’ve built with staff, suppliers, and generations of customers are what we’ll cherish most. We take immense pride in the local reputation our family has built, and while saying goodbye is hard, we feel it’s the right time to hand the mantle to the next person to continue the legacy.”
According to Tom Maule, director at Gorman Commercial Real Estate, the sale is a rare opportunity.
“We are seeing value-add for investors looking at the site from all different angles, from hospitality groups to developers to like-minded businesses who can utilise the current improvements and put their spin on them,” he says.
Maule emphasises its unique offering as properties of this size don’t come up often in the area, especially one that is this well known within the community.
“Having a once in 50 years offering to the market is the first part. The second is the amount of history – Beasley’s has been an institution within the community for decades. We sell a lot of properties, but rarely are they as well known.”
With strong interest already emerging, pricing is expected to sit at $2.8 million-plus.
