Ainslie’s Edgar’s Pub Celebrates 25 Years as a Community Cornerstone
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Ainslie’s beloved pub, Edgar’s, is approaching a quarter-century of service, proving that adaptability and a commitment to community are key ingredients for longevity in the hospitality industry. The establishment, which opened its doors in 2001, has become a vital hub for residents and a destination for visitors, consistently drawing crowds and requiring reservations on many nights.
From Humble Beginnings to a Multi-Venue Destination
The story of Edgar’s is one of continuous evolution. According to co-owner Frank Condi, the pub didn’t begin as the multifaceted venue it is today. “The biggest factor for that business was for it to evolve,” Condi explained. “It didn’t open as it did today; it was a small corner venue with a BBQ in the kitchen and free-standing fridges behind the bar. It was pretty raw and basic.”
That initial simplicity has blossomed into a thriving complex encompassing multiple venues. Edgar’s now incorporates Wakefields and The Inn upstairs, alongside Mama’s Pizza, a traditional Italian wood-fired pizza joint. This expansion was a deliberate strategy to cater to a changing market. “You can now have a more upscale experience upstairs with food cooked over charcoal, the classic pub experience downstairs or a traditional wood-fired pizza,” Condi said, “but the basics are that it’s a classic pub that anyone and everyone can go to, whether you’re wearing trackie pants or a suit.”
Replicating the Charm of Historic Corner Pubs
The intentional creation of a classic pub atmosphere was central to Edgar’s vision. Condi shared that he aimed to recreate the feel of the historic corner pubs found in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. “I wanted something that would outlast me, something classic, something that was a part of the community,” he stated. “Canberra never got those suburban corner pubs so we wanted to bring that to Ainslie.” He drew inspiration from the enduring pubs of London, where generations have gathered. “You look at the English pubs in London, and they’ve been there for a hundred years, and there are all the stories surrounding them, and people’s grandfathers’ grandfathers went there.”
A Neighborhood Anchor and Community Hub
Condi acknowledges the role of luck in their success, particularly the vibrant Ainslie neighborhood. “We’re very lucky here in Ainslie: the IGA is amazing, that family has expanded the business tenfold, and we’ve got everything you need here. The doctor’s surgery, the laundromat, all the businesses that have been there so long and feel like they’re a part of the landscape.”
Alongside the IGA, Edgar’s has become a key anchor of the local shopping precinct, fostering a sense of community and creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. Despite acknowledging the challenges facing the hospitality industry – including changing drinking habits among Gen Z and rising costs of living – Condi believes their established presence provides resilience. “
The pub’s success is deeply rooted in community engagement. Condi highlighted the cyclical nature of their relationship with the neighborhood, noting that children who grew up in the area have returned to work at Edgar’s, and are now bringing their own families. “The return business that feels like they’re a part of it really helps. We want everyone to feel like they belong there.”
Looking ahead, Condi has ambitious plans to continue operating Edgar’s for another 25 years, with a future conversation already scheduled for their 50th anniversary. He is confident that the reputation they’ve cultivated over the past two and a half decades will sustain them well into the future. “The feeling I want is that people come from out of town or from the southside or northside or wherever it may be and say, ‘I wish I had an Edgars at my local shops.’”
Edgar’s is located at 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie, and is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 pm, and to 11:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
