Neighbourhood shops: Yates Ave, Dundas Valley

For customers at a northwest Sydney shopping strip, the businesses are more than a convenient place to grab a coffee. Enjoy the ninth instalment of Corner Store Heroes.

You don’t have to prod locals to talk about their love for the local shops at Yates Ave in Dundas Valley.

Especially not at Daisy’s by the Park, where Veronica Talbot-Windeyer has shared how it is a big part of her life.

“It’s my lifeline, it’s my sanity,’’ the 75-year-old said.

“This was very important for us during Covid because it saved our sanity.’’

Annette Ross, of Oatlands, and Pat Tassone, of Eastwood, agree. They have a ritual to walk laps at Curtis Oval in Dundas Park, stroll across the road and have a chatter over coffee at the cafe.

Daisy's by the Park customer Veronica Talbot-Windeyer and cafe staff member Amelia Anjoul at the Dundas Valley cafe.

“We started walking in the pandemic, and that’s over two years ago, and we’ve been doing it ever since,’’ Ross said.

“We always get coffees, we don’t always eat.

“The girls are always friendly.’’

Pat adds: “We love it. Some people come here to get away from their husbands!’’

Ray Anjoul from Rapid Constructions built the 14 apartments atop the shops in 2016 and now he runs the popular cafe with his family, including partner Sefora, brother Pierre and his wife Amelia, his mum Jeanette and sister Ramona.

Friends Pat Tassone and Annette Ross catch up for morning tea at Daisy’s by the Park.

Sometimes his daughters Chloe, 20, and Kayla, 18 help out, serving coffees, pancakes, sandwiches and cakes.

The cafe was originally called The Container, run by George Georgaklis and Angelo Papagelou, who now helm the eatery by the same title at North Parramatta.

You wouldn’t know it now but the cafe owners encountered some resistance from locals about the units sprouting up and the new shops replacing the cherished milk bar and Singapore Noodles.

“We had a lot of negative feedback during construction because the locals loved the hamburger shop,’’ Ray said.

“But once the cafe opened … the locals embraced it.’’

Amelia Anjoul and her brother-in-law Ray Anjoul.

The cafe capitalises on its position opposite Dundas Park, where Saturday sport means the coffee machine going into overdrive. Its proximity to Yates Avenue Public School is also handy for parents needing caffeinating on a school run.

Once a week, the cafe caters for school lunch with ham and cheese, and salad, sandwiches.

Vulcano Pizzeria & Restaurant owner Silvio Tumia keeps the pizza lovers happy with the traditional and gourmet offerings along pasta.

The seasoned pizza maker opened the shop nine years ago and has enjoyed steady business, including during lockdown.

“For us it was really good because people were staying home and getting their food delivered,’’ he said.

“It’s nice, I like the community, it’s good.

“The people are friendly here.’’

At Dundas Mart, owner Imran Rabbani was also open for essential trading during lockdown.

“Many businesses were closed so we had an actual duty to care for the neighbourhood,’’ he said.

Dundas Mart grocery shop owner Imran Rabbani says his business provides a duty of care to the community.

Vulcano Pizzeria & Restaurant owner Silvio Tumia keeps the pizza lovers content.

At Sydney Property Manager, co-owners Catherine Saliba and Elee Boustani’s business thrived despite opening in June 2020.

Sydney Property Manager property officer Amanda Gafa and co-owner Catherine Saliba.

Keen to establish a name for themselves in the area, they saw a demand for real estate agencies in Dundas. As they say in the industry, it’s all about location, location, location.

“We opened up because there’s Saturday sport down the road and a cafe next door,’’ Saliba said.

“We’re still establishing our name in the area.

“It has paid off. We’re managing quite a lot in the area and love having the cafe next door. I like this area, it’s not far, it’s quite central.’’

While Dana’s Hair and Beauty could not open during lockdown, customers quickly filed back to the salon when it reopened.