Mum and I were driven to open Ellerslie Lane because there was no other space like it in Warren, particularly for women. The men have their rugby club, their league, their pubs, their golf and while a lot of women also enjoy those things, they aren't exactly "girly'. So we began with the retail side of things. We opened the store in the old bank in Warren, right in the centre of town and stocked an array of clothing, homewares and gifts. It was November 2021, post COVID times (kinda) and right on the brink of a bustling Christmas period. Once the novelty of the shop wore off, so too did the sales and we felt the dead of January slowly seep in. The addition of a coffee machine was always something we wanted however I think we underestimated how soon that would happen. Having an open mind and being eager to adapt has been crucial in the making of this business. By May 2022 we were trained by the amazing Little Italy team, serving coffee, cake and a small selection of toasted sandwiches. Since then the cafe has evolved a lot. Staff have come and gone, so too have my sisters pursuing their various dreams but our community of supporters have remained consistently strong. 

We created this little shop for women but I don't really believe that's only who it is for now. It's for the young kids after they play footy on Saturday morning. It's for the nannas that come and knit every Thursday together. It's for the new mums that need to get out of the four walls of their house for 5 minutes. It's for the teachers on their way to work, the nurses at about 10am and the farmers on their parts run in town. It's for the busy people, the tired people, the lonely people. The ladies at the post office, the yoga ladies on a Tuesday and the golfers on a Wednesday. It's for everyone. And it brings a bloody big smile to my face every day.

Bonnie x