Cafe pops up on historic corner

Sarah Okenyo, left, Kathryn Gilbert, Alexander Okenyo
and Brett "Badger" Gilbert outside their new cafe.

BUSINESS is on the move in New Norfolk once again, with a new cafe popping up and several shops moving to new locations.

Badger's Bike Cafe opened on Monday, turning a forgotten corner into a prime business location ideally situated opposite Arthur Square and around the corner from New Norfolk Primary School.

Proprietors Sarah and Alexander Okenyo and Kathryn and Brett Gilbert have spent months renovating the former Workskills employment training room at 11 Stephen St into a first-class cafe.

Mr Gilbert, known as "Badger", said local goods and suppliers had been used wherever possible during the refurbishment which transformed the premises from top to bottom, from the new timber floor to the attractive beamed ceiling that replaced a suspended ceiling.

Hope's Service Station on the corner of Stephen St and
Pioneer Avenue in 1956.

The commercial history of the Stephen St corner goes back to 1930s when a service station was established there. Later, when the business was owned by Bill Hope, a car showroom and service centre was built next door at 13 Stephen St. The original garage was replaced by the present structure some years ago but the showroom still exists next door as Gilbert Automotive.

Among its offerings, Badger's Bike Cafe serves Zimmah coffee and baked goods supplied by Jackman and McRoss. The cafe is open Wednesday to Monday, 8am-4pm.

Meanwhile, two established businesses are officially reopening in combined premises in High St today. The New Norfolk Florist and Robyn's Cottage have relocated from Burnett St and Circle St respectively, to share the old Wigston's premises at 63 High St.

New owners are settling in at the Head Above Water fish shop and at The Roost chicken shop, and after two years in rented premises in the old Glasser and Parker store at 37 High St, Vietfinn Silk Flowy Wear has purchased its own shop at 46 High St (most recently the Raven Gallery) and is in the process of transferring to the new location.

An antiques shop opened today at 31 High St, premises which were until recently occupied by B&S Hair Salon. Now known as Ebony's for Hair, the salon relocated to 33 Burnett St after the florist moved out.

Congratulations to everyone giving it a go in business in New Norfolk.