News

Family’s dream café brings coffee and community to Kialla Lakes

By Hailey Wight

Jul 4, 2026

Owners Jade and Tamara Skinner say they are overwhelmed by the community’s support since opening their own café in Kialla Lakes. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Foundry Coffee Co is brewing more than great coffee in Kialla Lakes.

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For owners Jade and Tamara Skinner, the new café is the fulfilment of a seven-year dream that allows the couple the flexibility to balance work with caring for their family.

Mrs Skinner has spent the past four years as a carer for their disabled six-year-old daughter Cora, making traditional employment difficult.

“Being a full-time carer is not an easy gig,” Mrs Skinner said.

“To be able to have something that’s ours that gives us that flexibility has been a game changer.

“It’s nice to get out of the house and see different faces again.”

Mr Skinner said opening the café meant all the caring responsibility was no longer falling on his wife.

“Now she gets to work as well, and get out of the house, and we can share the role of being a provider,” he said.

The couple, who describe themselves as “home-grown” after living in Kialla Lakes for most of their lives, said they had always seen the need for a local café.

“As locals, there was nowhere for us to go so we wanted to build it and create a space for this community,” Mr Skinner said.

Foundry Coffee Co is a family affair. Back, owner Jade Skinner and daughter Cora Skinner, 6. Front, owner Tamara Skinner, daughter Parker Skinner, 9, and son Marshall Skinner, 16. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

They set about building their café, with former tradie Mr Skinner doing the fit out himself.

“It went from a sketch on a bit of paper to this,” he said.

Mrs Skinner said they aimed to create a cosy, old-school atmosphere.

“It’s a space for this community to be able to sit, chill, read a book, read the paper and enjoy some good vibes,” she said.

The couple said they were keeping meals simple, specialising in quality grab-and-go food.

“We’re trying to keep it simple but high quality so we can continue to do what we do well,” Mr Skinner said.

Sourdough toasties, pastries and their carefully head-hunted Foundry coffee beans have proved popular from day one.

“We have four children, and Cora doesn't sleep, so we know coffee,” Mrs Skinner said.

Even nine-year-old daughter Parker has noticed the coffee’s popularity.

“The coffee’s so good, people are knocking on the door even when we’re closed,” she said with a smile.

While the coffee beans are from Melbourne, almost everything else is locally sourced, from the sourdough to the cupcakes.

Foundry Coffee Co is located at Shop 1 6-10 Waranga Dve, Kialla Lakes, and is currently open from 7am to 2pm weekdays, 8am to noon on Saturdays and 8am to 1pm on Sundays. On Saturdays, the café serves coffee and sweets only.