Sweet deal for Yankalilla lolly shop with rooftop marble run

17 hours ago 3

News Corp Australia

Updated 10 Jul 2026, 12:32pm

First published 10 Jul 2026, 10:00am

A unique rooftop marble run – the only one of its kind in Australia – has attracted more than 20,000 customers a year to a small Fleurieu Peninsula lolly shop, dazzling customers even more than the store’s vast array of old-fashioned sweets.

The whimsical maze sees marbles twist, turn and tumble along two ceiling-mounted tracks at Yankalilla’s Lollies and More@84, the brainchild of owner Renee Hutchinson and her husband Brett O’Connell.

The lolly shop at Yankalilla, which has become a tourist attraction, is being sold with a house and commercial workshop.

Along with a “great gumball machine’’ – a spectacular contraption in the store’s front window that is filled with colourful marbles resembling gumballs – the marble run has become a popular tourist attraction, said Ms Hutchison, who is now selling the shopfront, including the marble features, presenting a distinctive customer drawcard for businesses.

84 Main St, Yankalilla.

“The idea (for the marble features) just came from my childhood memories, really – I used to do a lot of marble projects at school when I was young,’’ Ms Hutchinson said.

“The business needed something for people to come (to Yankalilla) and bring their families and it (the marble run) has created a lot of returning guests that come and bring others as well.

“It’s got 11 different tricks and probably takes under a minute (for the marbles) to go up the spirals and come back to homebase.

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“It’s been a great drawcard and that’s why we thought we would leave (the marble run and gumball machine) with the shop – so that the next owner can use them and it can be a great drawcard for their business.’’

Ms Hutchinson said even reluctant customers were fascinated watching marbles cascade down the wire gumball machine.

“If people don’t want to come into the lolly shop – and some people don’t want to and that’s fine – then they can watch (the gumball machine operating) from outside the front window,’’ she said.

84 Main St, Yankalilla.

“Most times, they do step inside the shop once they have seen it though.’’

While the confectionery business does not form part of the sale, Ms Hutchinson said the large property, which includes a commercial workshop and the couple’s renovated, three-bedroom home, could suit a variety of uses, including a mechanic shop, microbrewery or bed and breakfast accommodation.

Under previous owners, the site has operated as a cafe, a bakery, an art studio and an antiques store, while Mr O’Connell has used the workshop as a base for his landscaping business.

The property, which is listed with Grant Threadgold of Harris Real Estate South Coast, has a price guide of $1.1m.

Expressions of interest close on July 19, unless sold prior.

Ms Hutchinson said the lolly shop would continue to trade as normal until the property was sold.

– by Lauren Ahwan

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