When the only pub in a small Riverina town , locals were devastated and left pondering what the future will hold for their beloved watering hole. or signup to continue reading But Henty's historic Doodle Cooma Arms has quietly reopened, delighting townsfolk, nearby farmers and travelling shearers who gathered there on Friday night to celebrate the classic old pub's return. New owner Owen Zhang received a hero's welcome on June 28, with not quite a packed house, but about 70 people popping in for a quiet drink with their mates over the night.
The Doodle Cooma Arms closed its doors in February, was advertised for sale and sold on May 22. Since then Mr Zhang, who was originally from Jiangsu in China before moving to study in Sydney and getting into hospitality there, quietly prepared his newly acquired country pub for its "soft opening" on June 21. "We're not really going to have a grand opening at this stage, we're just making sure everything runs smoothly and that everyone's happy," he said.
"We understand it has a very historic character and we want to retain that, we want to look after the local people." While the property was listed with McDonald Hospitality Brokers for $995,000, Revenue NSW has the sale price listed at $890,000. The sale , originally built in 1889, , after being sold in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Part-time cleaner Ray Coote and retiree Neil Quinlivan - both keen supporters of the pub in the past - said they were delighted to hear the hotel had reopened its.
