Couple’s café dream realised

THE Hills Hoist was invented in 1940s Adelaide.

Eight decades later, with inspiration from this backyard icon, Greg and Kayleen Faull have invented Bakery Hill’s Clothesline Café.

The couple have owned the house on the Humffray Street South and Eastwood Street corner for eight years.

Montana Faull, also part of the operation, said her parents have had a dream to enter hospitality for just as long.

“They were renting the house out, but wanted to open their own business here, so they gutted it and turned it into a café,” she said.

“Mum’s worked in catering, and dad’s been a tiler for most of his life. They wanted a change, saw the potential in the house, and did all the work to make it happen.”

In the back courtyard is an old Hills Hoist clothesline. This was in the garden when the Faulls bought the property.

It was removed during the café’s renovation and landscaping works, and has been returned to its original place. The outdoor feature has sparked the business’ name.

Chefs Paul Sing and Bella Faull are leading the kitchen, crafting a menu that puts “their own twist on brunch.”

“We all wanted a different feel for Ballarat,” Montana said.

“You can go to heaps of places and get bacon and eggs on toast, but Paul and Bella have put together a menu you can’t get elsewhere, with a bit more of a Melbourne vibe.

“Our smoked trout, the prawn omelette, and ham hock have been really popular. A lot of time and effort goes into the dishes.”

Ms Faull hopes customers feel warm and cosy when they visit the cottage, and encourages them to arrive ready to order and taste something different to what they might usually have.

Opening five weeks ago, Clothesline Café already has regular customers returning daily, and a positive, growing social media following. The venue is in the process of securing a liquor license.