A little chapter of history has ended as another one begins for the Boyne Valley as Kirsten’s Cottage changes hands and becomes a fresh new space for creativity and social gatherings.
Kirsten’s Cottage once served as the community’s one-stop shop for groceries, back in the day when all roads out of the valley were made of gravel and the local sawmill was running full steam.
The sawmill still operates today as a smaller family-owned business, and although the population of Builyan and surrounds has dropped, the community take pride in their halls, churches, green spaces and community store.
Previous owner, Kirsten Laney started working at the store over a number of years when she was 19, and said she had always wanted to buy the shop – eager to add her touch to a slice of Boyne Valley history.
Kirsten purchased the quaint cottage in late 2006 offering customers a selection of sweet treats, coffee, cakes and warm food and a myriad of thoughtful homewares tucked into the beautiful French-décor interior.
Wanting to spend more time focusing on her family, Kirsten put the business up for sale and the quaint corner store closed permanently in September last year, other than for the monthly Boyne Valley Market days.
Agnes Water mum Natasha Rowlands was surfing Facebook Marketplace late one night when she spotted the cottage and loved it instantly.
“I call it my mid-life crisis cubby house!” Natasha jokes.
“The café is an added bonus to my real passion and goal – to create a collaborative art space/café for the community to enjoy.”
Natasha’s daughter Teylah will also be a new familiar face for visitors, honing her hospitality skills on the till.
Natasha said they are both totally enamoured of the Valley in all it’s green glory and swimming holes to enjoy after the days in the cafe.
“We have the added bonus of friends coming out to enjoy the bush life on the weekends and assist in the shop too,” she said.
“I plan on offering art workshops (starting soon) for the wider community in, clay, paint, weaving, felting, mosaic, kokedama, macrame and more.
“Kirsten continues to assist me through the transition process, ensuring all the locals get their regular fix of delicious coffee and cake (and Kirsten) on the days I can’t be there.
“We have moved things around a little inside, working on extending the outside area with some more seating options and have some on-site accommodation in the works also.”
The part-time new valley-local will be continuing with giftware, a new range of all natural Bushland Mosquito busters already in store and also plan to offer monthly music sessions and “theme nights” in the cooler months.
“The Boyne Burnett Inland Rail trail is a fabulous local draw card and Packs and Pedals provide an awesome service for the riders and we will be offering e-bike recharging facilities for those who need it and definite energy recharging for the riders with our coffee and cake.
“We are having an opening party on February 24 with an offering of live music from 3 to 7pm and an open mic session to encourage the local talent to contribute to the fun.”
Natasha mentioned there will be camping options nearby to extend the fun into Sunday when the local community markets will be held on shop grounds. New stall holders are welcome to get in touch.
The store will continue to be a part of the Boyne Valley Country Markets held on the last Sunday of every month just next door from 9am to 12pm.
To keep up with what’s on at the new-look café – which is dog friendly – follow the Facebook page.
