The Gathering Cafe Bungendore succeeds where many have struggled

Bungendore has had no shortage of cafes over the last few decades. The trouble is, they are rarely long-lived.

The town’s proximity to Canberra with a primarily commuter population has always made operating a business in the small NSW community a challenging task, but the Gathering Cafe located on Gibraltar Street is proving it can be done.

The Gathering opened eight years ago. The owner, Telisha Summerfield, says she was regularly reminded by locals of the challenge ahead.

“When we first opened, people loved to tell me how many cafes had come before us; I was like the 9th person in this space in their memory. It didn’t give me a lot of confidence.”

Without a recent background in hospitality and opening on a street that at the time appeared to be dying, Telisha was all too aware of the risk she was taking.

“I arrived at a time when the IGA across the road had closed down, the tenancy next door was empty, and the courtyard wasn’t operating yet. I had some moments where I thought, ‘What am I doing?’” says Telisha.

The risk was increased by the state of the building she was leasing, which didn’t match her vision of a cosy, homely and welcoming cafe.

“I knew the building and always loved it, but when we first got it, it was bright red and yellow.”

Telisha wasn’t on her own in the mission of revamping the tired space. Her husband, Nathan, is a builder and is always keen to help Telisha evolve the space.

“Nathan always goes, ‘Alright, alright, what do you want now?’ but we work together really well, and we’re really proud of what we’ve done here,” Telisha laughs.

Over the eight years they’ve been open, the space has evolved dramatically. Behind the quaint heritage frontage lies a cafe that embraces you. Industrial lights overhang a white tiled counter that houses a bounty of sweet treats. Sage green walls are warmed by timber benches and wall features built by Telisha and her husband. Cushions invite you to cosy into a corner for a natter, and bricks are artfully exposed through sections of removed render.

Every element has been carefully thought through and designed by Telisha, who is hands-on with every aspect of the cafe.

“I wanted it to feel like home. Each vase, each colour, everything is considered carefully. Nothing is thrown together.”

Unlike many who move to a country town with dreams of a quiet life running a cafe, Telisha didn’t come into this with rose-coloured glasses.

“You are keeping so many wheels running at any point in time, and you’ve got hundreds of people coming through your home every week because this is our home,” says Telisha, her pragmatism always tempering her romantic notions.

“I knew it would be hard from day one when we started the fit-out. We made those tables; we did the upholstery. The kids and I stained the menu boards together. It’s all very personal,” Telisha says, pointing out all the features they’ve laboured over as a family.

Telisha credits her support network and her team with making all the difference and playing a huge part in getting the cafe to where it is today. Even the landlords of the building have lent a helping hand, sourcing and restoring furniture and painting walls with them.

Despite the challenges, Telisha has never looked back on her executive career, which she gave up when she opened the cafe, and she can’t imagine herself doing anything else.

With the gorgeous design of the space being a drawcard for the cafe, decor can only take a cafe so far, and The Gathering has built its success on the back of a consistent, quality menu that delivers hearty dishes that are always presented beautifully and hit the spot in terms of taste.

“We’ve stayed true to where we started with the food. We don’t have a deep fryer; we don’t have tomato sauce. I don’t want anything that comes on white porcelain; it’s home. It’s rustic food that makes you feel satisfied. I don’t want anything over the top.”

Telisha may feel that she is serving rustic classics, but there is an elevated edge to the dishes.

The Gatherings French toast is served with a spin; in this case, a croissant takes the place of bread and a generous helping of bacon complements the maple syrup and fruit compote. Their brekkie burrito is stuffed full of all the goods. Specials like a Texan Benedict bring the heat with local chorizo, jalapeños, capsicum and red onion, all served on a toasted bagel, and a granola brekky bowl serves up Three Mills Bakery granola with Greek yoghurt, honey and house-made compote.

Hearty lunch dishes like lamb cutlets, burgers, curries, kranskys and quesadillas all benefit from thoughtful touches, tasty sides and pretty plating.

The level of care and attention to detail certainly hasn’t escaped the locals. The widespread support for the cafe in the community sees the business flourishing despite tough times in hospitality. A fact that Telisha doesn’t take for granted, stating that she pinches herself every day that the risk she took paid off and she gets to be a part of this community.

The Gathering Cafe is located at 12 Gibraltar St, Bungendore. It’s open every day, 8 am to 2 pm.

Original Article published by Tenele Conway on About Regional.