Meet the new owner of Carrington’s corner pub
There’s a fresh energy pulsing through the corner of Young and Cowper Streets in Carrington, and it’s thanks to new owner, Emily Box.
A Hunter local through and through, Emily officially took over the lease of this much-loved community watering hole on Wednesday, April 16 2025.
Originally from Pelaw Main, near Kurri Kurri, Emily’s story is one of local grit and gradual evolution, having first entered the hospitality industry not with ambition, but out of necessity.
“I started with a casual pub job while I was at university – back when pub work was some of the best money you could get. I was 18, I had no prior experience, and it was hard to get a job. I ended up landing one at the Junction Hotel Inn Hotel in Raymond Terrace and committed to the 45-minute drive for five whole years,” Emily said.
New owner of The Young Street Hotel - Emily Box. Courtesy of YSH Instagram
That early gig laid the foundation for a career she didn’t expect, but one that now feels inevitable. Emily’s path took her next to Maryville Tavern, where she moved through the ranks to become licensee, overseeing the original beer garden renovation.
“That’s really where my career took off. It was my home for five years and I had real ownership and control there. Those five years really showed me how passionate I was about the industry.”
During her time at Maryville, Emily also became the inaugural winner of the AHA Newcastle Hunter Women’s Scholarship.
“Winning that made me realise that hospitality isn’t just a fun bar job. It can be a proper and fulfilling career. From then on, I knew I wanted my own pub one day.”
And now, she has exactly that.
While she has been managing the Carrington pub since August last year, Emily officially took over the reins from former licensee, Luke Tilse of The Happy Wombat in mid-April.
“It’s been awesome to get stuck in and change the things I’ve wanted to – like the branding and some basic renovations in the restaurant area. Honestly, it’s such a great pub and I don’t want to change too much.
“One of the things that stood out to me from the beginning was the community aspect here. That’s what makes a pub successful. I want to know every single person who walks through our doors and see them come back time and time again.”
Outside of the renovations and rebrand, the food is another key focus, one which has already seen the menu shift into a temporary offering, showcasing what their immensely talented kitchen team can offer.
“I’ve got an incredible team in the kitchen. Max, our Head Chef, opened Monte over at Little National and Jeff, our Sous Chef, has come over from The Del. Young Street Hotel has never done this level of food before, so the current menu available is a test run while we refine it.”
The evolving menu already boasts some highlights like the crispy herbed polenta with blue cheese dressing and hot honey; an elevated steak sandwich served on ciabatta with caramelised onions, cheddar, rocket, Dijon mayonnaise, and fries; and a warming lamb rogan josh with turmeric rice, chilli yoghurt, and roti.
A private dining room is also on the horizon, perfect for upcoming functions and events.
As for the community feel, the venue is continuing to show up for locals, partnering with upcoming events like the Carrington Crawl set for June and a new event set to launch in September.
With a decade of experience up her sleeve, a drive to elevate the Carrington pub scene, and roots deeply embedded in the Hunter, Emily Box is bringing something special to Carrington.
The Young Street Hotel isn’t just in good hands – it’s entering an exciting new chapter.
