Neighbourhood shops: Hibiscus St, Greystanes

Residents were sceptical their business would succeed but a family-friendly Lebanese eatery is thriving in western Sydney. Enjoy the fifth instalment of Corner Store Heroes.

When Tania Doumit’s family saw an opportunity to expand their business, Cedary Bakehouse, at Greystanes more than two years ago, many thought it would just join the list of other shops with a short shelf life.

Other businesses in Hibiscus St, including a bakery, hairdresser and real estate agent had wilted or relocated, but the Cedary has blossomed.

Doumit, her brother Anthony, dad Louie and brother-in-law Joseph Aoukar, opened just before Covid struck but the family’s flair for fresh manoosh (Lebanese pizza), ka’ak and coffee ensured a throng of locals were flocking to the eatery, nestled in Greystanes’ network of flower-titled streets.

The family already had many fans enjoying takeaway manoosh from its Moorebank shop but the Greystanes eatery allows diners to sit and catch up with family and friends.

“I think it’s the experience here because monoosh generally has been more of a takeaway concept so we’ve brought in the whole dining-in experience, and I think that’s new to our culture,’’ Tania said.

Cedary Bakehouse manager Tania Doumit gives her customers a warm welcome at Hibiscus St, Greystanes.

“I think it’s been an exclusive and more relaxing.’’

The Thursday we visit it’s humming and on weekends, extra customers keep the oven in overdrive, thanks to Saturday sport at Alpha Road Park (soccer in winter, cricket in summer).

Tania said some customers come from Newcastle while others are still discovering Cedary.

“A lot of people are shocked how we’re in this little suburb tucked away,’’ she said.

“A lot of people said ‘We never thought you guys would actually work’ because they said nothing here lasted.

“I think it’s because we heard this area needed a bit of life and a cafe. This was vacant so we thought why not try something different.

“Coffee’s a big hit here, I think everyone loves their coffee. I mean who doesn’t like coffee?’’

Matthew Hanna displays one of the Lebanese pizzas at Cedary Bakehouse.

Cedary’s only retail neighbours are the Learning Spot, run by Danielle Estephan and Stephanie Tannous, two friends who met as teachers at Maronite College of the Holy Family in Harris Park.

They are passionate about teaching youngsters three to 12 about literacy and maths and opened their service in January 2019.

The programs develop skills for children before they start Kindergarten and tutoring primary school students in small groups.

“Our community is a mix of locals and students that travel a while to reach us,’’ Estephan said.

“The majority of our students are from the Cumberland and Parramatta district.

“Our community is absolutely amazing.

“We absolutely love helping our students within our local community.’’

Besties Danielle Estephan and Stephanie Tannous run The Learning Spot at Greystanes.

And of course, when it’s time to refuel the brain and pause, Estephan, of Mays Hill and Tannous, of Greystanes, love to pop next door to Cedary Bakehouse.

“We indeed visit them daily,” Estephan said.

“Our students visit the bakehouse before and after class with their families. They love it.’’

The Learning Spot is expanding into the adjacent vacant premises while the Cedary Bakehouse is also extending its kitchen.

“The Greystanes complex is a warm and inviting environment, much preferred to a large-scale business complex,’’ Estephan said.

“Instead of seeking a new location, we knew that staying in Greystanes was the best decision for our growing TLS family.’’

MORE NEWS

Neighbourhood shops: Winston Hills’ The Chisholm Centre

Neighbourhood shops: Bathurst St, Greystanes