The Building

This historic building was built in 1910 and since that time it has been many things to many people:

· 1911 - butchers shop – owned by George and Joan Crawford

· 1917 – fruit and confectionary shop – owned by Mrs Bernice Burrows she also had the Eureka Dining Room here (you can still see the old restaurant sign on the outside of the building.)

· 1923 – back to a butchers shop – owned by the Henderson Brothers.

· The building remained a butchers shop until 1969, when the owner at the time Mr Roy Straight moved into his new shop on Main Street.

· 1979 – Plummer - Mr Colin Taylor operated out of here.

It would seem that the building has now come full circle and is back to being a restaurant, just like in Mrs Burrows day, although the menu has changed some what!

History on the building from the Unto the Hills book – published by Methven and Districts Centennial Committee, November 1979.

The People

Franz Furdorfler – Owner

Despite the sound of my last name (my father is Austrian) I was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. In 1986 I moved to Methven to ski and work for Mt Hutt Ski Area, after being here for a while I could see what a wonderful place it is and decided to make Methven my permanent home.

My love of the hospitality industry all began in 1987, when I started working part time for the Mt Hutt Country Inn, this position quickly lead to me advancing my career and was soon offered the bar mangers position at Centrepoint Hotel where I stayed until 1991. From that time up until 1999 – when the idea of Steel-Worx was conceived – I managed several other bars around Methven. Including Vee Tee’s night club and the Mt Hutt Restaurant.

Casey Crawford – Owner

I am a local and was born and bred here in Methven. My first introduction to the hospitality industry was in 1986 when I moved to Lake Ohau Lodge, whilst there I was employed as their barman for many seasons.

In 1990 I moved back to Methven. Initially I came home to work for Centrepoint Resort Hotel as a barman and DJ. In 1993 I was given the opportunity to become the bar manager and DJ at Vee Tee’s until 1994 when I was promoted to manager, here I stayed until the ‘birth’ of Steel-Worx in 1999.

Between them Franz and Casey have over 40 years of experience in the industry, and always make everybody very welcome, so next time you are in Methven call in to the bar for a drink and/or dinner and introduce yourself.