Chapter closes for community cafe

AFTER six-and-a-half years of hospitality in Lake Gardens, Sharon and Neville Monson have decided to close their business, Providore Cafe.

Mrs Monson said she’s grateful to have had the support and assistance of community members who made the space a social, neighbourhood hub.

“Looking back at the hundreds of photos of our cafe, it gives me great pride in what we were able to achieve,” she said.

“We got to know hundreds of guests, not only by name, but by their coffee order too. I’m going to miss chatting to them all, making coffee, the little plover who lays her eggs yearly, and my magpies who I fed.

“I’ve found treasures in cards and notes that people wrote to us for multiple reasons over the years. It felt a bit surreal walking out and closing those old green arched doors for the very last time; a great sadness washed over me.”

Lake Gardens resident Christine Allen said the Monsons provided a “warm, friendly atmosphere” at The Arches, and have been an important part of the community.

“Patrons to the cafe have enjoyed the historic ambiance and local, fresh homemade food, often meeting for a celebration or catch-up with friends and neighbours, or as an end to a local walk,” she said.

“Many people miss the Providore Cafe and are sad that it no longer will exist. A lot of hard work has been put into it, along with providing catering training for local people.

“Many visitors to the cafe had historic links with the building and the… former institution known as Lakeside.”

The Arches building, which was home to Lakeside Hospital, an industrial school, boys’ reformatory and asylum, was “beautiful but freaky” for the Monsons who suspect there may be a few “resident ghosts” floating around.

In May of 2019, the couple hung and unveiled a rare photo in the cafe, capturing the Ballarat Reformatory for Boys, an often-forgotten part of Lake Gardens’ history which operated from The Arches building from 1879 to 1893.

They ensured that chapter would live on.

“Sadly the building doesn’t have a sign to indicate its importance within the history of Ballarat,” Ms Allen said.

“We all extend a heartfelt thankyou to Sharon and Neville, and wish them every happiness for their future.”