THREE-one-three Lydiard Street North has drawn Rachel and Steve Sheehan back into enterprise.<\/p>\n
The Soldiers Hill shop\u2019s location and \u201ccuteness\u201d were too good for the couple to say no to, having sold a business 15 months previously.<\/p>\n
Interested and experienced in retail and hospitality, they have purchased the cafe space, formerly The Local, but will provide more as Lydiard General Store.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to offer a destination and experience for people to remember, where everybody that walks through that front door feels like they\u2019re walking into my home,\u201d Mrs Sheehan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a friendly, inviting, warm and relaxed place to sit down, have a cup of coffee, and feel like you\u2019re sitting in the kitchen with me. I want to know people\u2019s names.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incorporating retail into the business, with easy grab-and go gifts, candles, accessories, and eclectic artwork.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a laneway, and are hoping to have a little nursery with cacti, succulents, indoor plants and funky planters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the store gains momentum, Mrs Sheehan plans to introduce packaged deliveries.<\/p>\n
The cafe will support local producers where possible, have an \u201cextensive\u201d drinks menu, takeaway or \u201cstay and savour\u201d cakes, sweet treats and toasties, and even dog-friendly cuppas and snacks.<\/p>\n
The Sheehans expect the space to encourage community connections, not only between those in the Soldiers Hill neighbourhood, but those further afield. This has already started to happen organically.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhilst we\u2019ve been doing renovations, many people have been knocking on the door or the window, waving and commenting on how fabulous it will be to have the shop open again,\u201d Mrs Sheehan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great tight-knit community that I\u2019m just busting to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sheehans hope to open Lydiard General Store at the end of October, in line with the Victorian roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THREE-one-three Lydiard Street North has drawn Rachel and Steve Sheehan back into enterprise. The Soldiers Hill shop\u2019s location and \u201ccuteness\u201d were too good for the couple to say no to, having sold a business 15 months previously. Interested and experienced in retail and hospitality, they have purchased the cafe space, formerly The Local, but will […]<\/p>\n