Frankston’s Robinson’s Bookshop reopens cafe with Harry Potter high teas
A popular Frankston bookshop has relaunched its beloved cafe after a three-year hiatus. The owner has added a touch of magic to the mix to encourage cautious shoppers to linger a little longer.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Robinson’s Bookshop cafe is back in business after a three-year spell.
Owner Susanne Horman said the cafe was relaunched in the last days before the coronavirus lockdown began.
“We were open for about 15 days and then had to close,” Ms Horman said.
The grand reopening was celebrated with a Harry Potter-themed high tea featuring food inspired by the wizard tale, including sorting hat cup cakes.
“The plan was to have monthly high teas with a literary theme. Our second was meant to be inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” she said.
But while the bookshop continued to operate under coronavirus restrictions the cafe did not.
“We had to close. It was tough. A lot of our staff were new and didn’t qualify for the JobKeeper so we lost them,” Ms Horman said.
However, the venture is back in business, serving take away coffees and toasted sandwiches.
“We will gradually increase the offerings to meet demand from customers,” Ms Horman said.
The Harry Potter decorations will also remain.
“We’ll redecorate based on a different theme when we have a date for our next high tea,” Ms Horman said.
It was hoped the cafe would help encourage shoppers to linger longer.
“People are coming in, but they don’t browse. They get what they came for and leave,” Ms Horman said.
“I understand that. But bookshops work best when people spend time in them so hopefully that will start to happen soon.”
Robinson’s Bookshop closed the cafe in its Frankston store about three years ago to “rethink and renovate” the space.
“The cafe that was there initially wasn’t in a space designed for a cafe,” Ms Horman said.
“We had to do a lot of work to make it fit for purpose including infrastructure for waste water and a commercial kitchen.”
MORE NEWS
HOW TO SNAG BIG BARGAINS IN MELBOURNE’S SOUTH
PENINSULA WINERIES PREPARING TO REOPEN
HOW TO ACCESS THE BEST LOCAL NEWS
It was hoped the revamped cafe would match success of the one at the chain’s Glen Waverley outlet.
“Our shop at The Glen has an amazing cafe with floor to ceiling windows with views of the Dandenongs,” Ms Horman said.
“It’s been hugely popular.”
Robinson’s Bookshop Frankston is at 3/11 Station St Mall.