I have been so busy with holidays, kids and getting back to work after Christmas, that I haven't had a chance to share some exciting news... we are about to open a café. It's something Paul and I have always wanted to do, but we've been waiting for the right time and the right place. Then quite by chance one day a friend told us about us a pretty building in Ballarat (our nearby town) that was up for lease for the first time and we fell in love with it. To our surprise, we won the lease even though a whole bunch of people with more experience than us applied for it too. We have spent the last two months getting all kinds of permits and permissions, meeting with officials and lawyers and agents, but it now looks like it is going ahead full steam and our little crafty café may even be open as early as March (!).
It's going to be the prettiest café and tearoom, with a Lark shop inside it too. I am literally bursting with ideas for it. We are going to be collaborating with some really fantastic and passionate people, who I'll tell you more about soon. And our various clever and talented Ballarat friends have offered help with lots of stuff, so I just know it's going to be a great thing, although I am anxious about finding the time to make it all happen.
I'll be posting developments here as they unfold - no doubt lots of frustration and stress, as nothing good ever comes without an awful lot of hard work, does it? In fact I am off right now to re-draw some signage plans and write some emails, when I would like to be collapsing in front of the TV after a long day of work and parenting. But it will all be worth it, I think. Maybe you have some great ideas for things we could include in our café and shop? I'd love to hear them! x
Keep tuned as I have more exciting news to announce in the next few days...
48 comments:
Congratulations Allison. That's such fantastic news. It'll be so nice to have a sweet little crafty cafe to visit on my trips to the country.
I'd love to see a range of handmade homewares to buy.... and homemade lemon slice to eat with my coffee!
That's so exciting! You will have the perfect cafe, with your love of cakes and your eye for comfy-cosy-craft. Yes, hard work of course, but not many good things come easily do they? And you'll learn heaps, and imagine that feeling when you serve your first cupcakes! When we're back in Vic we'll be sure to visit - looking forward to the next instalment! xx
... and by the way, where did those lovely mugs in yr pic come from??
Congratulations Allison & Paul, how super exciting. There is tonnes of talen in Ballarat, it will be so cosy & beautiful, as is everything you put your magic wand to. Enjoy, love Posie
Thanks Clara, the cute mugs are Gingerbread House Mugs from Decole xx
So exciting, congrats!
ooooh how lovely. one of my favourite places to visit is Chicken and Fishhead in Beecroft (sydney) and they do a lovely cafe/shop that sells beautiful things like yours.
what a fantastic venture,
ENJOY!
So fantastic! How exciting! Best of luck to you.
That's good news, Allison. I love going out for afternoon tea/coffee and while there are already some good places in Ballarat it will be great to be able to go somewhere different, with the special extras you posted about. Best of luck with your new venture.
How exciting! Congratulations! Makes me wish I didn't live on the other side of the world. I love a good teashop....Love, Amanda xxx
Wow - that is exciting news - congratulations! Let's talk soon! Nic xx
Congratulations Allison that's so exciting. Look forward to visiting the cafe, good luck.
Bel
Wow that is so exciting! Congratulations, I can't wait to take a little trip down your way to visit! Now I have another fabulous reason.
Sophie x
excellent a new excuse to re visit you in the future,
it's going to be AMAZING x
wow Allison that's fabulous news! how very exciting and of course hard work but it will be fabulous.
looking forward to visiting when it's all go, go, go.
wishing you smooth preparations beforehand.
♥
What wonderful news- I'm sure it will be amazing!!!
Well done Allison I bet it will be fantastic
yay! a new lovely cafe in Ballarat... where about in the city is it? Can't wait to pop over for a cuppa. yum.
How very exciting! I wish you all the very best.
What exciting news!!!! Eeeeeekkkkks! Sounds like you are approaching this new venture with gusto and charm (the perfect combination). How sweet that it is something that you and Paul can enjoy together. Wishing you the best of success!
ohh i'm so jealous! you're living my dream/s!! shops, cafes, craft!! it's all so exciting! you are officially my new role model (although I think in some way you have always been). x
that sounds great! i'm originally from ballarat so look forward to dropping in on my trips back home. think it would be great to see local handmade goodies in there
CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting (...& stressful...). Looking forward to 'showing off my side of town' to Mum & Gran. I'm taking them in to Daylesford in Feb and I guess now I'll be taking them in to Ballarat in March. :) Wish we had more of this sort of thing in Bacchus.... Good luck with everything I'm sure it's going to be SENSATIONAL!
Insert big smile here .........
Yay for you!
It sounds fabulous! And of course it means I will have to plan a long journey to Ballarat so I can pay you a visit.
Huge news Allison. Very big congratulations to you all.
Brilliant!! Good for you, I wish you loads of luck, it all saounds very exciting!
so so exciting i can see more roadtrips to visit in the future! congrats Allison:)))
Congratulations!! That is super awesome! I so hope you guys are open in March when we are there on holidays!! Ekkkk!! xox
The Lark Empire!!! With your sensiblities the shop is a cert. And boy, Ballarat needs you.
Wonderful news! Congratulations! :-D
Is there anything you CAN'T do???
COngratulations.
Andi x
Congratulations!!! I love a cute cafe and I imagine yours will be awesome!
(great mugs too!!)
Well we will have to organise the Ballarat Etsy Sellers to have coffee there.
Can't wait to find out more.
Its going to be delightful, im so happy for you! ...and what fun it's going to be to decorate!Congratulations to you and Paul.. will Paul be the chef? xx
EXCELLENT!xxx
Congratulations, I am planning a trip to come and see your current store and now will have to plan another later in the year to see the new one. I am slightly jealous, you are living the dream of your own business and doing it so well, what a role model
Fiona
sassypop kids
Wow! Congrats Allison, that is super exciting! I'm sure it will go fabuluously well...I'll definitely be there for a coffee or five!
Such wonderful news Allison, you just go from strength to strength. Your cafe is going to be gorgeous I just know it!
Did you get my email about buttons?
More trips to the country...sounds good to me!
too exciting Allison! One more reason to head down your way... Can't wait to see photos of it.
Congrats and good luck with it. Sounds amazing.
oh my goodness - how wonderful!!! Yayyy thats awesome Allison - cant wait to visit your little cafe and tea house one day!!
lovley news! can't wait to pay a visit.
Yaysies, that is exciting news! I went to art school in B-town so it will always hold a soft spot in my heart because Art School is the best years of your life!
so exciting! My eager ears are open to any advice, thoughts and suggestions about opening a cafe as we are hoping to do same once we move o/s :)
Congratulations, Allison. It is very exciting that you are opening a Ballarat Lark. I'm a Melbourne girl who's recently moved to Ballarat having just spent four years living in London. I'm craving more lovely shops and cafes in Ballarat. Please have lovely girly high teas, and also be baby friendly (I've just had my first). I look forward to finding out the location of the cafe and I'll certainly visit often.
Thanks Alice - congrats on your baby and move to Ballarat! We'll definitely be baby-friendly, with comfy chairs for breastfeeding, a changing area etc. and YES there will be girly high teas! I'll look forward to meeting you! x
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