When passengers disembark from the Port Phillip Ferry in Port Arlington, one of their first sights is the Pier View Lolly Shop, surely one of the most happiness-inducing stores on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.
The shop is chock-full of amazing lollies, a paradise for every local kid (and the grown-ups) – plus the families who visit on day trips and long, lazy holidays. It’s an institution, an unmissable experience, and has been since Greg Ollis opened the doors to sugar heaven six years ago.
No less than 300 lolly varieties from the US, the Netherlands, UK, New Zealand and Australia are there to be discovered – some in jars, others in wrappers, and still more ready to be hand-picked from containers and put in old-school paper bags.
Some of the lollies are familiar; others less so. Some ooze with nostalgia – think chicos, caramel buds, Jaffas, humbugs and jelly babies, among oodles of others.
The ones from the US take shop visitors straight to an American sitcom set, with wrapped bars such as Hershey’s, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Tootsie Rolls and Twinkies.
The UK’s finest are well represented – for example, Caramac, Victory V and Daim bars, Fry’s Peppermint Cream, and Blackpool Rock, and more.
And the Netherlands selection will have liquorice lovers doing handstands – in fact, lovers of ‘black’ lollies of all types are truly spoilt for choice here.
To add decadence to indulgence, Greg also sells milk and thick shakes, slush puppies, and 20 flavours of locally made Nordenfine ice cream. Bliss anyone?
There’s nothing like a visit to the shop, but when COVID struck Greg moved quickly to adapt.
One of the first things he did during the first closure was connect with Tourism Greater Geelong & Bellarine, who offered free advice and help with building a website for online orders. That’s now going well, with orders pouring in from all over – even a lady from Coffs Harbour puts in her regular order.
Like every business, the Pier View Lolly Shop has faced unique challenges this year, but Greg says his customers stepped up in support, keeping the Port Arlington landmark ticking over. He reckons the gratitude from him, wife Judy, and his young, exceptional seasonal crew can’t be overstated, the backing the shop received literally bringing a tear to his eye.
A busy TAFE teacher in his former life, Greg is loving bringing joy to his customers, young and old. And isn’t that we all need right now?
Lolly hampers and gift vouchers are available, and delivery within 15 kilometres is free for purchases above $10.
Pier View Lolly Shop, 92A Newcombe Street, Portarlington. Inquiries: 0413 507 757 or www.pierviewlollyshop.com.au
