Old Man Drew

A Place with History, Heart, and Homegrown Roots

Bringing this space to life has truly been a labour of love. It's been both challenging and deeply rewarding. We've taken a building that has stood proudly since 1868 and given it a new chapter—restored with care, not stripped of its soul.

This place has worn many hats over the years. It began as Twinem’s Grocery Store in the 1860s, a vital stop for miners heading to the goldfields. Locals knew it fondly as the Beehive Store. In a nod to that legacy, we now stock specialty fine foods you can take home and savour.

Later, it transformed into Pittorino’s Wine Bar, then into a Penfolds Wines cellar. The old cellar still stands—though, sadly, all the Grange is long gone. After that came its time as a hardware store, a hub for timber and tools for the community.

In 1968, our family—the Drews of Ascot Vale—became the proud owners. We continued the legacy of Vic Drew Used Trucks, a business our grandfather Victor founded back in 1957. A World War I veteran, Victor poured everything into building something lasting. His son Bill worked beside him every step of the way and carried the flame forward. When Bill passed, we became the caretakers of this place, feeling the weight and warmth of its stories.

Throughout our renovations, the support from the Ascot Vale community has meant the world. Your encouragement and kindness have made this journey feel like home every step of the way.

Today, this building begins yet another chapter—as a café and fine food merchant. We hope to add to its long and colourful story, blending the old with the new.

Welcome to Old Man Drew.

Victor Harrold Drew—our family’s patriarch—was the original owner of this building. After returning from World War I, he promised himself to make the most of life. For him, that meant working hard, eating well, and enjoying the company of family and friends—with a drink or two to top it off. His spirit lives on here, in every corner of this place.

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