From the NT News, 21st July 2014

Bojangles to be reborn as iconic bush pub Ettamogah

Alice Springs is a few weeks away from being counted among some of Australia’s greatest destinations when Ettamogah group reopens Bojangles.

Ettamogah Group Pty Ltd managing director Leigh O’Brien told the Centralian Advocate that preparations to bring the big name to Alice were at an advanced stage.

“My plan is to reopen Bojangles and rename it Ettamogah Pub in Alice Springs,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We will fix up the kitchen, fix the menu and provide wonderful steak, fish and chips and lots of new stuff.

“Subject to council approval we will put an application to extend the building upwards to give it three floors.

“We will be employing local staff – between 30 and 50 – on casual/permanent basis. We will be purchasing all we can locally and give the redevelopment tenders to local builders.

“As soon as we sort all the important issues to do with licensing hopefully before the end of winter we will start operating.”

Mr O’Brien, who has been in the industry for more than 20 years, says he is blown away by the support and interest of the town to his business.

READ: BOJANGLES CLOSES ITS DOORS

“I must say we have found Alice Springs authorities very helpful throughout the paper work process,” he said.

“To have Ettamogah in Alice is important in that it cements the Australian experience of the Outback.

“If you have a look at Ettamogah cartoons and Bojangles signs, they are similar to one another.

“The whole deal gives us something to promote Alice Springs overseas.”

The word Ettamogah is be lived to mean “place of good drink” in one of the Aboriginal languages.

It is an iconic name in Australia, with Ken Maynard’s popular Ettamogah Pub Mob cartoons originating in the 1950s.

Bojangles, once popular for attracting huge numbers of visitors and locals throughout the week, was closed three years ago – and Alice is assured of the return of such glorious days once Ettamogah reopens the doors at 80 Todd St.

Mr O’Brien is expected in town soon to set up logistics as well as starting the process of employing staff.

He has indicated he is keen to support community activities and work with tourism bodies so that Alice Springs realises the full potential of the tourist attraction.