If you’ve driven past the Old Cheese Factory lately and wondered what’s changed — the answer is: quite a lot.
In 2026, The Garden Bar owners Meg and Tom stepped into management of the historic site and launched the Old Cheese Factory Collective — bringing together eight local businesses under one roof while carefully preserving the character and heritage of the building.
We connected with Meg to talk about family, community, the behind-the-scenes work, and what this new chapter really means for Frederickton and the wider Macleay Valley.
Can you tell us a little about your family and how The Garden Bar and the Old Cheese Factory became part of your journey?
Our family has always had strong ties to the Macleay Valley, and hospitality has been something we’ve been drawn to for a long time. The Garden Bar came into our journey at a point where we wanted to build something meaningful, not just a business, but a place that felt welcoming, grounded and reflective of the community we live in. It quickly became a family effort, with all of us involved in different ways, and it’s grown alongside our family.
What does running a family business here in Frederickton look like day to day?
Day to day, it’s hands-on. We’re involved in everything, from opening up in the morning, working with staff and tenants, dealing with suppliers, problem-solving on the fly, and making sure customers feel genuinely welcome. No two days are the same, and that’s part of the charm. Being a family business means we’re invested not just financially, but emotionally too.
What’s something people might not realise about what goes on behind the scenes?
A lot of planning, long hours and decision-making happens outside of service hours. There’s maintenance, compliance, staffing, training and constant tweaking to improve the experience. People see the relaxed atmosphere, but that’s only possible because of the work happening quietly behind the scenes.
You’ve made some big changes to the Cheese Factory and The Garden Bar recently — what inspired those changes?
The changes came from listening to our community. In 2026, we launched the Old Cheese Factory Collective, a shared space bringing together Macleay Valley businesses, keeping the building’s history alive while supporting a new generation of local makers and small businesses. We wanted to create a place that feels welcoming, flexible and true to how people gather and connect today, without losing the character and heritage that makes it special.
How has the local community responded since the changes were made at The Old Cheese Factory?
Overall, the response has been really positive. We’ve seen more locals coming through regularly, families using the space in different ways, and people feeling comfortable popping in casually or staying a while. That tells us we’re heading in the right direction.
What’s been one of your proudest moments as a family since taking on the business?
Seeing the space become a true meeting point for the community has been incredibly rewarding, locals catching up, families celebrating milestones, visitors discovering Frederickton for the first time. Knowing we’ve created something people genuinely value is something we’re really proud of.
What does being part of the Frederickton and wider Macleay Valley community mean to you?
It means responsibility, connection and pride. We don’t see ourselves as separate from the community, we’re part of it. Our kids grow up here, we support other local businesses, and we want to contribute positively to the area’s future.
Why is supporting local businesses important to your family?
Local businesses keep communities alive. When you support local, you’re supporting families, jobs and the character of the area. For us, it’s about keeping money circulating locally and helping ensure small towns like Frederickton and the Macleay continue to thrive.
What do you love most about welcoming locals and visitors into your space?
The conversations. Hearing people’s stories, seeing familiar faces return, and watching visitors experience the Old Cheese Factory for the first time never gets old. It’s a privilege to host those moments.
The Old Cheese Factory has always been part of Frederickton’s history. What Meg and Tom have done is ensure it becomes part of its future.
Through the Old Cheese Factory Collective, they’re not only growing The Garden Bar — they’re creating space for other Macleay Valley businesses to grow alongside them. That kind of local leadership matters. It strengthens our regional economy, builds opportunity for small operators, and reinforces why supporting local businesses isn’t just a nice idea — it’s essential.
If you haven’t visited recently, now might be the time.
