A huge 95 per cent of coffee shops in Australia are independent, and two more have recently joined the fray in Shepparton.
One of them, Hot Brew Cafe in Wyndham St near Victoria Park Lake, and the other, The Local in Parker St in Shepparton’s north, are hoping to be part of a coffee-led, post-COVID recovery.
Owner Kerrie Pearse says Hot Brew Cafe is perfectly located for people partaking in activities around the lake who would like a coffee or a light meal.
“We grabbed the space and decided to go with a café because we thought there’s nothing really close to the lake that’s takeaway, besides junk food,” she said.
Open from Monday to Saturday, Hot Brew Cafe also caters for events and makes 80 per cent of its meals in-house, including its puppachinos for dogs.
“We had one dog turn its nose up, but the customer took it home and the dog ate it at home, so we fear it was just the environment not the drink itself,” Ms Pearse said.
“Hopefully people will come down and check us out. Our coffee is a nice smooth, medium blend so it suits the majority, and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback.”
On the other side of town, The Local is conveniently located between GV Health and Bourchier St Primary School in a largely residential area.
Couple Emma Burr Nyberg and Brad Ridings are behind The Local, along with business partner Damon Carroll, and jumped at the opportunity to kick start their business when the premises became available.
“It was a milk bar for years and that’s why it’s got the old Ducat’s logo,” Ms Burr Nyberg said.
“That’s why we were drawn to the place, because it had a little bit of heritage. So we wanted to bring that back to the neighbourhood and the north part of Shepp.”
They want The Local to reflect its name and for locals to feel as though it’s a welcoming place to go for not only a coffee, but a meal and a chat.
“The good thing about a coffee shop or a café that I find is that you get to make someone’s day, hopefully,” Ms Burr Nyberg said.
“If I’m in a bad mood, I’d go down and get a coffee or get a pastry or get something to make myself feel better, so we were hoping that would draw people in and just to put a smile on your face.”