July 30, 2012
When you drive through a small town, you’d expect to be able to stop and refresh yourself with a coffee and a sandwich from the general store or the local service station.
Surprisingly, visitors to Cherbourg haven’t been able to enjoy that simple luxury. But that’s all about to change.
Manager of the yet-to-be-named café in Cherbourg, Sheree Strauss, says the newly-developed facility on the main street has been a long time in the planning but that early reactions to the café’s imminent opening had been heartening.
“We think we’ll be definitely tapping a market vein with this venue, which will not only provide the food and beverage products that you’d expect in a town this size but also a place to catch up for a social chat,” Sheree said.
The café won’t be profit-driven. Rather, it will be a commercially-focused venture that has already benefited from having a range of community organisations contribute funds, training, manual help and other resources to ensure the town has a facility that meets a market need.
“We wanted this facility to be attractive for local people as well as for the many visitors who visit Cherbourg on government business or as tourists to see the museum and other attractions,” Sheree said.
“That means we’ve had to consult widely and often because although the building itself is on Cherbourg Council land and is owned by Council, a host of other organisations have made it a possibility.
“Funding bodies such as the ACICC provided money for the renovations and some of the equipment, The Employment Services Hub here in Cherbourg is helping with training and employment, and an SQW project has helped with refurbishment.”
Sheree said the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council was enthusiastic about the potential job opportunities that would arise from this project.
“The café hours will suit mums at home wanting to get out for a bit, and the hours will also accommodate a range of ages of people wanting to work here,” she said.
The result is hoped to be a place where locals and visitors can catch up for a chat over a “proper” coffee, as well as a place where young people can gain experience in hospitality, retail and customer relations.
“Some of the world’s best ideas have been hatched in coffee shops, and Cherbourg residents should have the opportunity to hatch their own in their own town,” Sheree said.
