Cafe Sonder
Cafe by day, bar by night. Wagga Wagga's Cafe Sonder has some exciting things on the horizon. Co-owner Tanya shares the businesses 'grassroots' story below.
Q. How did your grassroots story start?
A. Tanya and Adil met and then fell in love while working together at a local café in their early 20’s. While holidaying overseas, they decided at the age of 23 and 26 to open their own café when they returned to Australia. In the beginning the café featured a small food menu as well as coffee and cold drinks. Café Sonder has grown over the years and includes a large breakfast and lunch menu, catering options and a licensed bar in the evening.
Q. How would you define your business/service as local?
A. Café Sonder is run by Wagga Wagga born and bred Tanya Hardwick and Griffith raised Adil Khan - who calls Wagga Wagga home after living here now for more than 14 years. Café Sonder is located in the heart of Fitzmaurice Street, in the well-known and greatly-loved former ‘Tourist Hotel’ building. Tanya and Adil hold strong connections to the local community through their volunteer work with WIRES, and the café supporting many local charities over the years. On the menu you can find fresh produce from Gnangara Premium Fresh, a farm less than two hours from Wagga Wagga. Along with coffee syrups from Remy & Max produced in Orange. At night, all the wines are sourced from vineyards around the region including Griffith, Yenda, King Valley, Rutherglen and beers from the boys at Tumut River Brewing Co.
Q. How have you pivoted during this time of Covid-19? And, have you experienced an increase in ‘shopping local?’
A. Covid-19 saw the café turn in to and adapt to become a takeaway shop overnight. We continued to offer our entire menu takeaway during the peak of the pandemic, while also introducing a delivery option during this time. It was challenging balancing the new way business was now to be conducted, however it was inspiring to see so much local support rally behind us and adapt to the changes so easily.
Q. Why is it important for consumers to shop/root for local?
A. Simply put, shopping local puts money back in to the local economy, providing jobs for locals. Shopping at a local business has a chain reaction - supporting locals in employment to supporting farmers. The stronger our local economy is, results in positive outcomes for everyone. Not only is there a sense of community and belonging, increased jobs and lower unemployment rates, more occupied shop fronts leading to more choices for the consumers, but it also allows local businesses to support local charities and individuals more.
Q. What’s next for your business/service?
A. In the warmer months this year, we will see the re-opening of our night-time bar trade. However, this spring, will also see an exciting big change to the bar trade that we are very excited to bring to the night life of Fitzmaurice Street.
Head to Cafe Sonder's listing for more on this great business.
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