Daryl Hooper has taken ownership of Tatura’s Ross Street Cafe.
Photo by
Kelly Lucas-Carmody
Daryl Hooper was a customer of the Ross Street Cafe before he and his wife, Jenny, became the owners earlier this month.
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The Goulburn Valley born and bred resident, who moved to Tatura three years ago after 30 years in Shepparton, used to visit for coffee every week.
But he was no stranger to running fast-paced mixed businesses, having owned licensed post offices and general stores before.
This is the first time he’s taken the reins of anything like it in some time, after a four-year hiatus from the field, working as a support worker in the interim.
He missed the atmosphere and said he just loved the vibe in the diner that former owner Jody Vincitorio had created during his 13-month reign.
The café is a feast for the senses.
Not only can you smell and taste the delicious regular items and weekly specials on its breakfast and lunch menus — like the famous brekky and ‘heart attack’ burgers — when you step inside, you’ll get a visual treat as well.
The walls are adorned with collectible signs, memorabilia hangs from the ceiling and 1950s-style red leather booths with chrome-edged tables invite you to sit for your meal while you take in the eclectic mix of popular culture from throughout the decades.
New owner Daryl Hooper (standing, centre) with café regulars, from left, David Moreton, Michael Shay, Kim O’Toole and Jack Forstel.
Photo by
Kelly Lucas-Carmody
“I thank Jody for the great job he’s done; he’s done an amazing job,” Mr Hooper said.
“Nothing else needs to be done. I’m just settling in, everything is the same; business as usual.”
Even ‘Jody’s Special’ remains on the menu, for now; however, Mr Hooper smiled when he said he was considering some sort of Daryl-themed replacement.
Aside from the exit of Mr Vincitorio and the entry of the Hoopers, the rest of the team remains the same friendly crew customers have come to know and love, including cook Mia, who is also one of the café’s former owners.
“Mia is a wizard on the grill,” Mr Hooper said.
“I was more than happy to keep Mia and all the same staff. It’s a great atmosphere; we have lots of laughs and there’s lots of carry-on, but the work gets done.”
Cook Mia Mattaneeya and staff member Rachel Palmer hard at work.
Photo by
Kelly Lucas-Carmody
While he jokes that there’s not enough room — or load-bearing beams — to add much more paraphernalia to the interior, he is planning a trip to St Kilda’s Abbey Road Cafe for some inspiration soon.
But even without changing a thing, his café already attracts destination diners, such as school holiday travellers who drop in for a novel eating experience.
Its clientele also includes plenty of regularly returning customers, such as widowers who come in daily for company, friendship groups, walking club members and service club cohorts. There is even a group of motorcyclists who take up meeting space in the shed because they say that’s more their vibe.
“I just enjoy the buzz of it all,” Mr Hooper said.
“I plan to be here long-term; until I retire.”
The Ross Street Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday from 6am to 2pm.
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