A local family are fulfilling a lifelong dream of running a cafe after taking over a Penrith establishment.
The Vollans have taken over The Country Coffee Shop after Sue and Tony bought the cafe at the start of this month with hopes to reopen to the public on Monday in line with the next phase of coronavirus restrictions relaxing.
Their daughter Emma, in her role of head chef, has designed a new menu keeping in line with the old cafe favourites with some new additions. She has also designed a kids menu with help from her daughter Jessica, seven.
“I’m really excited about helping out when I can,” Jessica said. The family is using the start of this month to give the place a facelift and to put their stamp on it ready to welcome people back.
The family are keeping some of the previous staff with Sue managing the overall running of the cafe and Emma managing the daily duties alongside her work in the kitchen. Emma has worked in hospitality, mainly chef work, for 15 years and has worked in a few venues in the Penrith area, including most recently at The Lemon Tree.
“I’ve been there for nearly three years now and I have loved it, but I’m really excited about this new adventure of running my own kitchen, which is something I have dreamt of.” Emma said.
Sue is locally known and is a bookkeeper for a few businesses in Eden, which she will carry on doing alongside the cafe.
Sue said: “I’ve always wanted to own my own business, like a cafe or a shop and after a rather awful 2020 we decided to live life to the fullest and follow our dreams. I really hope everyone enjoys coming in and enjoys the friendly atmosphere we are trying to create.”
Sue and Emma have some future plans of a rebrand and remodel of the cafe with a possible outside eating area out the back.
They are also excited to look at themed nights every month where a set menu and entertainment will be provided, along with kids parties and after school storytime situated upstairs in the cafe.
