Owners of Melbourne Café, Finders Keepers open new café in Ocean Grove

The owners of successful café Finders Keepers, married couple Kirst Baker and Sean Minter have opened the doors of their new café, Dawn Ocean Grove.

The well-renowned Melburnian café owners have been holidaying down in the area with their children for nearly a decade, and said they always dreamed of establishing a café in the area.

Their dream became a reality on December 27, when they opened Dawn Café across the road from Collendina Beach in Ocean Grove.

“One day we were driving to the local pub, the Ocean Grove Hotel, and I was driving past and saw this site and thought ‘I need that site’… and I’ve always wanted to have a business down this way,” Minter said.

The handy couple designed and refitted out the entire café space on their own, with all the furniture handmade by Minter, with Baker doing all the interior design of the space.

“It’s refreshing, light and airy. Everyone walks in and says how spacious and light it is now, we’ve got colours, it’s not overly colourful but it’s got nice pastel tones and lovely outdoor seating out the front.”

Dawn is a large light-filled space with a bright, summery feel.

With a large, shared table and outdoor seating, it is a the epitome of Melbourne sunday brunch in the heart of old Ocean Grove.

“We’re very relaxed, I’m very focused on service… especially through the summer period everyone’s just rushed off their feet, so let’s make it a fun experience as opposed to a busy experience, I’m all about it being fun and good food,” Minter said.

He said the couple had curated the menu with breakfast and lunch options to cater for a range of needs, with healthy options right through to aesthetic food for a special brunch out.

“We’re trying to cater to big crowds… we’ve got salad, and a lobster roll and burgers and chips, and some yummy treats, and we’re just going to extend that menu out.”

Dawn also serves a range of pastries from Noisette, and cakes from Little Bursa, both delivered fresh from Melbourne.

The coffee is from Code Black, roasted in Brunswick.

Dawn is located at 131 Ocean Throughway, Ocean Grove, opposite Collendina Beach carpark, and is open 7am-3pm each day.