Herbie’s Spices’ iconic two-storey red terrace shop in Sydney's Rozelle will be closing its doors after more than 18 years, with industry icon Ian ‘Herbie’ Hemphill and his wife Liz focusing on other areas of the business, including online sales and spice classes.
Located on Darling Street, the shop has long been a favourite amongst food loving consumers and industry members alike, but on 31 March it will close its doors, with stock being relocated just four doors up the road to The Essential Ingredient.
The move will allow the Hemphills to spend more time at their ‘Spicery’ on the Central Coast while also focusing on the company’s growing internet mail order sales.
Time will also be dedicated to conducting a greater number of spice classes around the country, conducted at specialty retailers that stock Herbie’s Spices, including The Essential Ingredient.
“We have no plans of retiring – and the brand Herbie’s Spices is here to stay. It’s not goodbye, just a transition,” said Herbie. “We’re here 24/7 on the website with express deliveries to all points of the compass.
“One element of the change that excites us is that we will be free to do more travel, to do our spice classes not only for Sydney-based customers, but for you all out there in the other parts of Australia,” he said.
In October 2007, Hemphill was inducted into the Sydney Morning Herald Sydney Magazine’s Food Hall of Fame. In July 2013 www.foodandwine.com named Herbie’s Spices in its list of Best Spice Shops in the World – the only Australian spice business recognised, and in 2015 the company was a finalist in the ‘Reference and Scholarship’ category of the James Beard Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of the food world.
Herbie conducted a Masterclass with Hospitality last year, running through a five lesser known herbs and spices that he felt would add value to menus around the country. Have a look below.