Simon Johnson to open two new stores

After a quiet period on the expansion front, Simon Johnson is jumping back on the opening circuit with two new Sydney stores.

"We'll open a new one in Northbridge, opposite Antico's, in May," the providore says.

It'll be followed by another new Simon Johnson store, in Potts Point.

"We'd like to have that open by mid year," he adds. Johnson has also made a new appointment, hiring Jamie McDonald, the brother of his onetime business partner Barry McDonald, of Fratelli Fresh.

"Jamie has just come on as our national retail manager. He has some great experience. He'll oversee the roll-out of the new stores, add some more daily fresh products and work closely with Australian producers. It's also time we gave some of the stores a tweak," Johnson says.