Red-letter day for Cygnet with reopening of Red Velvet Lounge

RED Velvet Lounge owner Steve Cumper is feeling the pressure ahead of the reopening of his cafe.

Steve Cumper is looking forward to welcoming customers back to the Red Velvet Lounge at Cygnet. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

RED Velvet Lounge owner Steve Cumper is feeling the pressure ahead of Wednesday’s reopening of the Cygnet cafe.

“I think there’s always pressure for any small business in hospitality or retail and there’s also possibly a heightened expectation based on what we had achieved previously,” Mr Cumper said.

“But if we don’t hit all the targets for our customers it will never be for lack of trying. We’ll always be trying and we’ll never be complacent.”

The local community rallied in support of Mr Cumper after the venue was badly damaged by fire in November, helping to raise more than $30,000 to rebuild. The State Government also stepped in, with a loan of $75,000.

News_Image_File: The cafe in ruins after last November’s fire.

Mr Cumper said he probably would have given up if not for the public support.

“That outpouring of goodwill was really a validation that we should give it another go,” he said.

Mr Cumper is keeping the new interior under wraps until the doors open for breakfast on Wednesday, but said the warm hospitality of the original Red Velvet Lounge would remain.

“The bonhomie is in the DNA or the bones of the building so that won’t change,” he said.

“The food will be the same but the place will be a re-imagined version of the Red Velvet Lounge.”

While most staff had moved on to other jobs during the eight-month hiatus, a couple were returning and there will also be some fresh faces.

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