Popular cafe has birthday

Happy Birthday was the tune of the week as Hedland’s Youth Involvement Council Fresh Start Cafe celebrated one year of work last Friday

Beginning as a foray into social enterprise, the Fresh Start Cafe has slowly grown into a crowd favourite, with the morning coffee line slowly growing as weeks tick by.

YIC chief executive Vicki-Tree Stephens said while the cafe had dabbled in business before February last year, it was one year ago when the cafe began amping up business.

“It has been a challenge because it’s new, it’s evolving and growing and you really have to be quite creative, flexible and innovative trying to achieve outcomes, satisfy funding bodies and help the young people achieve their goals and outcomes,” she said.

“But in saying that, we have a great team, it’s very collaborative and we have the best brekkie rolls in town.”

Aiming to produce fresh food on a daily basis, Ms Stephens said the success was due to the contribution of staff, past and present, and the kindness of customers.

“We’ve been really stoked with the community. They’ve been absolutely fantastic,” she said.

“People understand that when they come here, they might not get their coffee in two minutes but that extra minute or two wait goes a long way in terms of helping out new staff and trainees.”

Now planning to delve more into the catering sphere, Ms Stephens said the cafe was excited for the new adventures that 2018 will bring.

To inquire about catering options or more about the cafe, visit its website at www.yic.com.au/fresh- start.