Andrew Harrison is saying goodbye to a restaurant that has been part of his family for 40 years, as the venue closes its doors. Photo: Keeli Dyson.
The final days of the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant are set to be served with a few tears on the side as the community loses an iconic Illawarra institution with a colourful history after 40 years.
Andrew Harrison is not just farewelling his family’s business but also closing the door on many childhood memories.
The managing director of the Lagoon has been delving into the restaurant’s past with his mother Vania as the venue approaches its final days.
“She’s got so many photos and albums of newspaper clippings,” Andrew said.
“We talked about some old stories and I could ask some questions, because I was only seven back in 1986 so it was good for me to see some things, ask questions about that; it’s really interesting.
“We’ve been going through all the old archives; I’ve seen all the good, bad and indifferent headlines that we’ve had over the years.
“And the Lagoon’s a bit of a controversial restaurant in terms of the whole time – there’s been a lot of good times and a lot of controversial times and we don’t shy away from that – it’s all part of our history.”
The restaurant was opened four decades ago by George and Vania Harrison, with George later going on to become Wollongong’s Lord Mayor.
With the venue so integrated into their family, the good and bad events had an effect socially, mentally and financially.
“There were some really tough times that I’ve experienced personally over the years and my parents probably to a greater degree,” Andrew said.
“In 2001 we closed for almost four years due to the fire here and it almost killed my family economically.
“Then there was the whole controversy about the fire and the suspicion of it.
“There’s been countless other things – my dad went into politics so there was all that spotlight on him being a politician, something that I would never do because of that experience.
“But there were so many, many good things; the good far outweighed the bad and the countless fundraisers that we’ve done, we helped a lot of people along the way.”
Those good times have returned to the spotlight as the community has reached out to share lifelong memories and personal milestones that have been celebrated at the iconic location, with some shedding tears at the thought of it no longer being around.
“It’s really humbling to see how much impact it’s had on a lot of people’s lives throughout the years,” Andrew said.
“I’ve always said we’re not just a restaurant, we’re more than that; we’re an experience for people and I feel like we’ve really accomplished that when people tell me that, ‘We came here for our first date back in 1991 and that’s when I first met my wife’ or ‘That’s where we had our baby’s christening and now our baby’s getting married’. It blows me away how emotional people are that we’re closing.
“I was speaking to a customer who was making their last booking on the phone yesterday and they just burst into tears.”
The closure was first flagged in September last year when it was announced the expiring lease would go out to tender.
Just a few months later it was confirmed the Lagoon would officially be moving out, with Sydney hospitality hard hitter The Grounds of Alexandria set to take over the space.
But rather than mourning what’s lost, the Lagoon has been celebrating what has been with nostalgic events and a taste of its history.
“We’ve done a lot of menu items that we’ve been bringing back from the past and honouring the sort of different time periods and cuisines,” Andrew said.
“Some of the old classics – the traditional prawn cocktails and dishes like the Barramundi Nick that we had back in 1986; it’s been great.”
The last day of service is set for Sunday 17 May.
“If the last few weeks have been anything to go by there’s definitely going to be a lot of mixed emotions,” Andrew said.
“I don’t know how I’m going to react on Sunday 17 May when we close, but I think I might shed a few tears.
“I think that last service will be quite emotional.”
But for Andrew, as much as his role in the restaurant has been about family, so too is the decision to move on, as he now has four kids of his own.
“This Mother’s Day, booked out, fantastic day but I’ll be up at the crack of dawn and coming to work. I won’t be able to spend time with my wife and kids,” he said.
“Definitely family has been a major consideration. I’ve never really had a Christmas that I’ve been able to spend with my family, it’s always been get up, come to work and then go home afterwards and have a bit of a celebration, but it’s not the same.
“I’m really looking forward to being a dad first and foremost and spending time with my family.”
Although he will be shifting focus onto his food wholesale business, this may not be the last we see of the Lagoon.
“You never know what happens in the future, the Lagoon brand might come up somewhere else if an opportunity arises but no plans at this stage,” Andrew said.
Bookings for your final meals at the Lagoon can still be made on the restaurant’s website before the doors shut on 17 May.
