Crazy Chicks Bakewell: Lisa Mason and Jennifer Burslem open new family friendly cafe, gift shop

Two Palmerston sisters in law who between them have eight children ranging from 18 months to late teenage have somehow found time to establish a new cafe, gift shop and catering business.

Sisters in law and business partners Lisa Mason and Jennifer Burslem at Crazy Chicks cafe, gifts and catering at Bakewell Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied

Two Palmerston sisters in law who between them have eight children ranging from 18 months to late teenage years have found time to establish a new cafe, gift shop and event hire business.

Lisa Mason and Jennifer Burslem threw open the doors to Crazy Chicks Cafe, located at Bakewell Shopping Centre inside the tenancy left vacant by the 2020 closure of Oka Malaysian & Chinese Cuisine, on October 26.

Ms Mason said she and her sister in law have been long-time collaborators in a variety of small businesses, including market stalls, gift shops, and events hire.

“We saw this opportunity [at Bakewell Shopping Centre], wanted to do more, so thought, why not combine it all together?” she said.

“There’s been so many learning curves and bumps in the road, we’ve been trying to open this cafe since June.

Crazy Chicks cafe, gifts and catering at Bakewell Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied

“Delay after delay but we finally did it, we’re one week in and getting some great feedback from the community about the space.”

Ms Mason said the business’ point of difference was its affordable price point for young families, inspired by her and Ms Burslem’s difficulties feeding their own large families when wanting to go out for a casual brunch date.

Crazy Chicks cafe, gifts and catering at Bakewell Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied

“We couldn’t go anywhere and just have a coffee and quick bite to eat in these hard times,” Ms Mason said.

“We wanted Crazy Chicks to be a place where a mum and bub, or a little family can come and eat and they’re not going to go broke, spend $100 and go, there’s the monthly budget gone.”

Co-founder Lisa Mason at Crazy Chicks cafe, gifts and catering at Bakewell Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied

Crazy Chicks also supports local bakers and makers, many of whom they came across when they were heavily involved in the Top End market scene, by stocking their wares.

“Our gift shop is all Territory home businesses, all local, and half of the cakes we do are all from home bakers,” Ms Mason said.

“And we’ve got so many more already inquiring to try and get their stuff in the shop.

“We’re going to need a bigger cake fridge and it’s only been a week.”

Asked how she and Ms Burslem managed to balance their family responsibilities with running a small business, Ms Mason said it was only possible via a “huge family commitment”.

“We’ve got Jen’s teenagers and parents helping us out at the cafe, my family looking after the kids, our husbands are in the kitchen together,” she said.

“It’s about pulling together as a family to make this happen.

“We’re exhausted, but we have huge smiles on our faces.”