Restoration Coffee reaping benefits of new space

A PHILANTHROPIC formally van-based coffee business is continuing its community-focused work from a new premises in Geelong.

Bellarine local and Restoration Coffee owner Sharon De Been and her family sold the coffee van and have relocated Restoration Coffee to 164 Bellarine Street, Geelong.

Restoration Coffee, previously operating from Drysdale’s Mowers Galore carpark and Portarlington’s Secondhand Op Shop, donates a portion of its profits to charities.

Twenty-five cents from each cup of coffee sold goes towards MAF Australia, a non-for-profit group that conducts crisis flights to support women and children in the Northern Australia’s Arnhem Land affected by domestic violence.

MAF Australia additionally deliver medical care, emergency food and spiritual care to people in remote communities.

Restoration Coffee also provides regular free coffees and monetary donations to the local Drysdale Family Support’s Foodbank, the Geelong Mums group and Barwon Health nearby.

Mrs De Been said the new location was helping spread the word of Restoration Coffee’s work.

“We wanted to get a permanent base and a coffee window to have a bigger impact on the community,” she said.

“We’ve already been able to meet so many new people who have learnt more about domestic violence and supporting people in need.

“Going to a café often is like a family for some people.

“We feel by having somewhere they can come and sit and chat that it can help to develop that sense of belonging and community.

“It’s been really empowering and exciting and we can’t wait to see where it goes.”

Restoration Coffee in Geelong is open 7:30am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday.