Brendon and Emma Reynolds weren’t looking to become publicans. But when the Junee Hotel, a grand old pub built in 1878, came up for lease in their hometown, they saw more than a business opportunity.

The couple saw a chance to revive a piece of history, create a place for people to connect, and build a business rooted in regional values. “We saw not just a building,but a sleeping icon ready to be brought back to life,” Emma tells Business Builders.

Nestled in the heart of the Riverina, the Junee Hotel now hums with fresh energy. Locals gather around the fire, farmers and tradies swap stories over lunch, families pop in for dinner, and travellers find comfort in a hearty meal and a warm bed. It’s exactly the kind of old-school, no-pokies, community-first pub the couple had in mind when they signed the lease in May 2023. By May 2024, they’d bought the pub outright.

From paddocks to pub life

Emma and Brendon both grew up on farms, where social isolation was just part of life.

“You might only see your neighbours at Christmas, the odd event or every other month,” Emma says. “That memory sits deep with us.”

It’s why they wanted the Junee Hotel to be more than just a watering hole. It had to be a place where people could gather, share a yarn, and feel a sense of belonging.

“Our doors are open to mothers and kids catching up over coffee, farmers rained off the paddocks, and truck drivers just needing someone to chat to,” says Emma.

They added bar stools for casual chats, created spaces for locals to sit and relax, and focused on food, hospitality and conversation—no pokies, no TAB.

Junee Hotel is a landmark building. Image supplied

Building a pub with purpose

When they took on the Junee Hotel, it came with a big dose of reality. “You’re wearing all the hats – owner, cleaner, chef, bookkeeper, marketer – all in the same day,” Emma says.

With no corporate backing, every improvement came from their own pockets, and every challenge had to be met with good old-fashioned elbow grease.

Staffing, a huge issue across regional hospitality, forced them to get creative. Rather than chasing experienced city talent, they looked inward.

“We’ve embraced a ‘Grow Your Own’ approach,” Emma explains.

That meant training young locals, offering flexible jobs to women returning to the workforce, and supporting team members to upskill.

“One of our proudest moments is seeing a young school-based casual kitchen hand blossom into a confident second-year apprentice chef,” Emma says. “That’s what building local capacity looks like.”

The hotel has gone from one full-time and five casual staff to six full-timers and nine casuals, creating not just jobs but confidence and opportunity for local families.

Giving a grand old dame a second chance

The hotel building itself is a stunner. At nearly 150 years old, the building is rich with history and period features. The couple has poured time and love into its restoration, creating inviting spaces that feel both nostalgic and fresh.

“Every day we get to walk through these doors, we’re reminded that we’re living history, not just preserving it,” Emma says. “She just needed a bit of love.”

That love is obvious in every detail, from the reimagined dining room to the growing menu of honest, hearty food. And with renovations underway to open five pet-friendly rooms downstairs, the Junee Hotel is shaping up to be a destination in its own right.

Pull up a stool for a chat. Image supplied

Stories over schooners

Emma and Brendon are passionate storytellers. On their socials, they highlight the faces behind the bar, the travellers passing through, and the locals who make the pub feel like home. They’re also regulars at other regional pubs, learning from other communities and championing the strength of small-town hospitality.

“We don’t just serve meals, we tell stories,” Emma says. “Whether it’s the history of this 147-year-old hotel or the journey of someone stopping in for a cold beer, we believe sharing experiences helps stitch our wider community together.”

#CountryProud

For Emma and Brendon, buying the pub outright was a defining moment.

“We were doing all of that without knowing if it would truly be ours. So when we finally signed the papers, it was deeply emotional,” she recalls. “ It was no longer just a project. It was our future.”

They’re also raising three teenagers, managing a farmstay, and Emma still works full-time in Wagga. It’s a full plate by anyone’s measure. “Every decision made at the Junee Hotel is a family decision,” she says. “Our teenagers have grown up learning how to mop floors, stack chairs, serve a smile and show up. It’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

So too is their #countryproud ethos.

“We’re proud of our roots, our rural values and the kind of hard work that built this place from the ground up.”

Grab a seat by the beautifully restored fireplace. Image supplied.

Future plans

Next on the agenda? Renovated, pet-friendly rooms, more space for locals to gather, and curated displays that tell the hotel’s long and colourful story.

“We want the Junee Hotel to be a place people are proud of. A place that reflects our region’s history, resilience and heart.”

Being named a Regional Heroes finalist has only fuelled their fire.

“It’s validation. In a world where pokies and profits often take priority, we’ve chosen people, conversation and connection. To be recognised for that – especially as a small, family-run pub in the heart of the Riverina – is incredibly humbling,” says Emma.

Advice from the bar

Emma’s advice for others keen to start a business in the bush? Be authentic. Back your values.

“Your authenticity will resonate with locals,” she says. “In small towns, word-of-mouth is powerful, and genuine relationships can be the cornerstone of your success.”

She also recommends thinking creatively about how you serve your community.

“If you have a mainstream product or service, ask: can it be adapted for people with disabilities, celiac/nut allergies, kids or pets?”

And finally, don’t underestimate the impact of showing up.

“These milestones remind us that you don’t need to be a big player to make a big difference. You just need to care deeply and keep showing up.”

Want to see it all for yourself? Head to www.juneehotel.com.au, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @juneehotel. Better yet, stop in for a beer and a chat. They’ll be behind the bar, making sure the fire’s warm and the stories are flowing.

Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Business Builders on Facebook , X , Instagram , and LinkedIn