STAFF and customers of a Bright Italian restaurant are saying goodbye to manager Anita Hamilton, a Gavan Street fixture for around 38 years, with her final shift in mid-February.
Frank Martinez, proprietor of Sole e Luna, said his sister is leaving Bright for Melbourne so she can spend more time with her children, but her familiar face will be sorely missed.
“The locals love her - she's very well-known,” he said.
“I've had to tell a couple customers that she's leaving and they're devastated.”
According to Mr Martinez, Ms Hamilton began working along Gavan Street when she was 13 years old at boutique cafe Ellie Mays, taking the bus from Ovens.
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At 19 she began working at the Cosie Kangaroo, a well-known pancake parlour, and at 25 she bought into the business, Mr Martinez said.
“It brought so many tourists to town,” he said.
“It was open breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.”
After that Ms Hamilton came to work for her brother at Sole e Luna for 15 years.
Mr Martinez said her experience and enthusiasm for hospitality will leave immense shoes to fill.
“She does the bar, the till, just everything,” he said.
“Even at night, we finish up sometimes and she'll jump in the kitchen and help do dishes as well.
“She's got a heart of gold as well, and so good with the customers.”
Mr Martinez said with their parents still living at Rosewhite Ms Hamilton will occasionally visit.
“I'm not sure if she'll get into hospitality again, but she actually gave me a whisper the other night and said, Easter weekend, she might come back and help me,” he said.
Mr Martinez said it has been difficult to find staff in Bright since the COVID-19 pandemic, while currently fewer people can afford to dine out, which will make Ms Hamilton’s absence all the more noticeable.
“It's a real big struggle for, I think, most small businesses like hospitality in Bright, so we've just got to keep ticking along and, hopefully, I'll find someone who will replace Anita,” he said.
“I'm going to miss her though.
"It's very emotional for me and my head chef.”
