General News
7 March, 2024
From strength to strength
Peter and Sharon Hayden are looking forward to a bright and boundless future in Rainbow while celebrating their first year of business.
Peter and Sharon Hayden are looking forward to a bright and boundless future in Rainbow while celebrating their first year of business.
The couple took over the Federal Street cafe and takeaway shop last year and have transformed the once-cavernous space into a clean and cosy spot for a cuppa and a chat.
The property has changed hands many times in the past 10 years, but the overall layout has remained the same.
The Haydens began renovating and repurposing the space from day one to make it a more intimate and easily-managed setting for visitors and locals to enjoy.
It has become well-known for good coffee, tempting cakes and slices, fresh sandwiches and croissants, and a simple but satisfying range of takeaway foods.
“It has been going really, really well, and the town has appreciated the space we have created,” Mrs Hayden said.
“The carpet tiles have made a big difference and we want to lower the ceiling eventually, compact the kitchen and install a coolroom, so there is still more to do.”
The couple extended their special touch down the street to the Eureka Hotel in August, after the previous managers left and their plans to open the licensed restaurant were delayed.
“We intended to open up the cafe, get it up and running, and a licensed restaurant, then the pub became available,” Mrs Hayden said.
“It stayed closed for two or three months, and everyone was complaining so we thought ‘why can’t we do it?’
“We’re renovating the kitchen there at the moment - it has been totally gutted and the ceiling lowered - and Pete is working hard on the beer garden.”
Mrs Hayden said any highlights of the past year had all stemmed from the community.
“Opening up to the community and being able to give them that cafe experience has been wonderful,” she said.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it gets around Hopetoun, Warracknabeal, Nhill - we have even had people from Horsham come up.
“People from Hopetoun will ring up, order pizzas, and travel over here to get them.”
Currently, patrons at the pub can order food which is cooked and delivered from the cafe, but Mrs Hayden said it hopefully wouldn’t be long before their restaurant could open.
“We’ve had a few birthday parties, a high tea, Christmas parties, and have only really been limited by space,” Mrs Hayden said.
“The restaurant will allow us to cater for more people.
“The walls are already painted - the colour is called ‘Paint The Town Red’ - the ceiling and electrical work is being done now, and we want to have black and white paintings of local figures like Frank Orris and Millie Ough on the wall.”
The Haydens are dedicated to keeping a local focus on their business, from displaying works by local artists and photographers to hiring local hands.
Adjustments to the menu are based on local tastes, and they ensure there is a range of vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free products.
The cafe also serves at the town’s Information Centre, and the couple draw on their historical knowledge, having grown up in Rainbow, to point tourists in the right direction.
“I’m getting to know people again,” Mrs Hayden said.
“When I left they were little. Now they have kids of their own and I’m asking ‘who do you belong to?’
“Mum and Dad are enjoying us being back too, they love it.
“The pub is loving our Friday night meat tray raffle, and it is part of what makes a community.
“We have Frank Thomas coming every day, and he let us know that he would be away next week, what days he wouldn’t be here, so we don’t worry when he doesn’t show.”