Jess Sawyer. Helen Mclaren, Kye Fisher, Will Schiller.
Helen Mclaren has owned Helen’s Coffee Lounge for 13 and a half years. Helen and her partner Scott are both born and bred Coota locals. She said, “Our clientele has normally been older people and kids and mothers. But we cater for everyone” Helen’s Coffee Lounge serves light meals, main meals, sandwiches, coffee, cakes, fresh juice, smoothies and all with a qualified chef.
Helen hasn’t seen the same number of kids in the store since Covid-19 took hold. She said, “They are always happy and smiling, we love the kids coming here and playing. We have a slippery slide and trampoline, a swing and some new equipment.” Helen now has a Street Fighter arcade game as well as a new pirate boat ready for the store. For some of the ‘older’ children a visit to Helen’s to play Street Fighter must be put on the calendar.
It has been a labour of love where Helen and her team worked for 3 years straight, 7 days a week when they first started. They now work 6 days a week. She said, “Everyday we think outside the box, different ideas.” The home deliveries are helping to keep revenue up. Like many other businesses, the service allows for another stream of revenue.
The best thing about owning a business for Helen is being able to talk with her customers. “It’s great when you get good feed back. Our staff are amazing workers we are all on the same page.” She said, “I was really heartbroken when the Corona Virus struck. It blows my mind that in 2020 this has happened.”
Helen will be offering a special Mother’s Day Menu with Roast lamb or Pork with veg and gravy with trifle, sticky date pudding or pavlova for $23. There’s also grilled Baramundi, Creamy Pumpkin Soup or Porterhous steak. Check out Helen’s Facebook page for her great specials for Mother’s Day. Don’t miss the kids’ menu either.