Cafe owner selling up

After five years transforming a corner cafe into arguably Albany’s most popular breakfast spot that simultaneously supports local artists, musicians, producers and people with disabilities, owner Alison Teede has decided to sell up shop.

Ms Teede, who said she had poured her “heart and soul” into the venture, has decided to spend more time with her family.

“I spent Christmas with one of my daughters and then took the grandchildren to Perth for a week and realised I needed to spend more quality time with my family,” she said.

“The beautiful messages I got when I said I was selling were overwhelming, I was chuffed.”

With no background in business or hospitality, Ms Teede said she came into the role because essentially she loved to feed people.

“I didn’t have a business background, I was incredibly naïve, I had no clue about the ancillary costs, wages,” she said.

“I’m proud that I’ve increased the turnover threefold, but I haven’t increased the profit threefold — it’s not all about money but you have to pay the bills.”

Ms Teede said she, along with head chef Noel Gibellini, developed a menu of which the highlight was the pizza bianca — a rustic-style, hands-on sharing dish.

“The people who ran it before had good food and good service but we extended the menu — clay pan, fruit bread, we make our own muesli, porridge, hollandaise,” she said.

“We try and use as much local produce as possible, asparagus, eggs, olives, olive oil.”

Previously working in the disability services industry, Ms Teede hired many employees with disabilities.

In 2011, Vancouver Cafe and Store won the Dr Louisa Alessandri Award for Excellence and the Barry MacKinnon Award for Employment for the role it played in giving people with a disability work.

“It’s exciting to see what people with disabilities are capable of, given an opportunity,” she said.

Ms Teede and the Vancouver Cafe crew also host Great Southern Factor Inc film nights and displays the work of local artists.

“On Thursday nights we had so many talented musicians, it’s a lovely intimate venue,” she said.

“One night a 91-year-old woman got up and sang Danny Boy. She had difficulty speaking but her singing voice was sensational.”

She said she had also taken a small group of local people to destinations including Turkey and Vietnam for culinary tours, has participated in Taste Great Southern, hosted food demonstrations and catered events including the Clipper Round the World race function.

Ms Teede is looking for a buyer who values the community, local producers and artists.

She will look to return to working with people with disabilities part-time.