Spud & Kinn, Mortlake
Spud & Kinn is more than just a café. The space has a warm country-style aesthetic that feels as though it has been lifted straight from the pages of a lifestyle magazine.
Who’s behind the business?
Spud & Kinn Café is owned by Christine and Dan, a local couple who made the move from Melbourne in search of a tree change and a different pace of life, finding themselves in Mortlake almost by chance.
"When we were looking for somewhere to live, we wanted a lifestyle where we weren't living to work and didn't have a big mortgage hanging over us," Christine says.
After looking at a property in Caramut, the family stopped in Mortlake so the kids could have a break in the park.
"We saw the 'For Sale' sign and two weeks later it was ours. It just felt meant to be." They spent the next thirteen years restoring and renovating the building until they opened the doors in January this year.
Tell us about your business journey?
Originally, the couple had no plans to open a café.
With Dan's background in furniture making and Christine's passion for interior design, the idea was to create an interiors store with coffee as a complementary offering. Over time, the concept evolved into something much bigger.
"We saw an opportunity to create a positive addition to the town and for people travelling through," Christine says.
Over the next 14 years, the pair carefully restored the building, focusing on preserving its original character rather than modernising it.
"We wanted to bring the building back to what it once was," Christine says.
The couple has since met a woman who worked in the building when it operated as a bridal wear store and enjoy hearing stories about its history.
"We'd still love someone to uncover an old photo so we can see exactly what it looked like back then."
What products do you offer?
As well as quality coffee, Spud and Kinn serves a range of handmade food. Their focaccia dough is made in house, making the base for their deli style sandwiches and fresh pizzas. Tte homemade sweets baked by Christine are aways the first to go.
The couple is also looking to expand their offering with milkshakes and smoothies, and eventually introduce a wine and cocktail bar on Friday and Saturday evenings.
What’s your “why”?
Christine says it's the community connections that have become the most rewarding part of the business.
During years of renovations, there wasn't much time to socialise, but opening the café changed that.
"We've met so many people and made some really close friends," she says. And it’s not just them who are building connections because of the cafe.
"We've had neighbors on farming properties who have live only a short distance apart for years meet here for the first time. They sat down together in the café and became friends."
"Now we do it for the community as much as ourselves. We're feeding people in different ways, not just with food and drink."
What’s the best business advice you’ve received?
"Take your days off," Christine says.
"You think you can work seven days a week, but you need downtime, family time and time to recharge or you'll burn out."
She also encourages aspiring business owners to trust their instincts.
"There have been times when we've second-guessed ourselves, but in the end our instincts have usually been right."
Find them at:
Facebook /Spud-Kinn
43 Officer Street, Mortlake
Thursday & Friday: 9am to 2pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 3pm