Little Things Big Things is created on the conviction that we need, more than ever, locals who support locals
Paul Kelly had it right when he said from little things big things grow, especially when it comes to Torquay locals Stephen and Mandana Baker.
You may have heard of their gorgeous coffee caravan Little Things Big Things that has been popping up at farmers markets, festivals and weddings on the Surf Coast since 2018. Back in May 2019, we did a feature on them, which you can read here.
Well, now the dynamic duo have opened up their first permanent doors – a café in Torquay.
Operating under the same apt title, the café is a venture of synchronicity and passion – with Stephen and Mandana turning an empty shopfront they found out about through a customer into a bright, beachy café in just six weeks. All during lockdown. Oh, and with a 5-year-old in tow.
“We’ve done all of the renovations and fit out ourselves, it was a big family effort. After receiving the keys, we drew a little concept of the shop on a small piece of paper and became Bunnings best customer with up to three daily visits for the following six weeks,” Stephen explains.
They do say necessity is the mother of all invention, and losing 70% of their income during the pandemic inspired the couple to get busy. The new café combines their talent for speciality coffee and locally sourced nibbles, which you can either take away or have delivered. It’s everything locals have come to love about the caravan, but now it’s here forever.
“Eighty percent of our items are from the immediate area and many of them are organic. We want to support local as much as possible, especially in times like this. We do make some of our products ourselves, but all you can find comes from another small business which you will support by supporting us.”
Ethical, wholesome and down-right neighbourly, Stephen and Mandana are setting the tone for a new wave of cafés in regional Victoria. Not only do they focus on local produce, they also have a huge emphasis on sustainability.
“Our cups and lids are not only biodegradable but are also compostable which is not very common in most of the take away products you see out there. Our lids are made from sugarcane and break down really well (we tested it ourselves). We also compost our coffee ground and collect lids for prosthetic limbs.”
While the caravan has been tucked up for its winter hibernation, the café is consistently dishing up perfect house-made doughnuts and mouth-watering jaffles. But when restrictions lift, Stephen and Mandana say they’re excited to hit the road again. These two can’t be stopped.
Little Things Big Things may have been knocked down by the pandemic, but they sure as heck got up again. Make sure you head on down to enjoy the spoils.
Little Things Big Things can be found at 38 Bell Street, Torquay, or
@ltbtspecialtycoffee
