Back in full colour at The Majestic Gourmet Grocers

Old factories, abandoned churches, heritage listed cottages – cafes, art galleries and shops pop up in all sorts of places in Sydney. Petersham’s Majestic Gourmet Grocers is the latest space to emerge from the dust of an abandoned space, and boy, has it done so in style.

The Majestic Theatre opened on New Canterbury road in 1921 and operated as a theatre until the 1970s. Along came the 70s and it became a roller skating rink until 2002. Sitting abandoned from 2002 until 2012, it was snapped up by property developers who turned the back upstairs section into apartments. The heritage listed front entrance of the theatre remained untouched until trio Carlos Ascencao, Tim Reen and Warren Landsman took on the task of returning the space back into full colour.

Shop and then stop at Majestic Harvest for fresh European fare

Today, the front entrance has been lovingly restored – wrought iron art deco stairwells, beautiful black and white photos of the Majestic in its heyday, chandeleirs twinkle from the ceiling. And just beyond, the space opens up into a European-style marketplace. Seafood, juice, salad, cured meats and cheese stations are bright pops of colour. Stop by the salad bar for the daily special (think broccoli, asparagus and couscous salad), get a vitamin fix with a freshly made Immunity juice, move on to seafood for fresh fish and chips or big juicy chunks of salmon to take home, peruse the extensive cheese cabinet where the decadent French double crème is calling your name. Save time to bottle up some of the infused Hunter Valley olive oil and to pick up a slice or two of salame.

Now, the Majestic Grocer is a place to restock your pantry full of gourmet goodies but if you’re in need of more instant gratification, pull up a chair at Majestic Harvest, the café tucked into the corner of the open space.

Melt in your mouth zucchini flowers, homemade soda syrups, a serious salumi board and moreish Portuguese tarts fresh from the oven are not to be missed. Keep an eye out for dinner opening hours and a small wine bar upstairs when the liquor license comes through.