Highs and lows continue for popular eatery Sisterhood cafe

Another national award nomination has boosted the morale of owners and staff at a temporarily closed eatery – but the news has been tempered by a further setback.

Owner of the Sisterhood Cafe in Sandy Bay, Yasmin Chung. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

FREE tattoos for customers, a national design award nomination, a delay in its reopening and weekend pop-up events — it has been a roller-coaster four months for devastated Sandy Bay eatery Sisterhood.

After six weeks of trade, quickly becoming a popular addition to the Hobart food scene, Sisterhood was forced to close in August after an uncapped drain under its floor was found to be spilling water since before the business opened.

Cafe owner Yasmin Chung said staff initially planned for the store to reopen by next month, but the discovery of further damage has meant it will need to be “completely stripped back and refitted”.

Ms Chung said it was likely the cafe would not reopen until February.

REVIEW: SISTERHOOD BRUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT

Sisterhood head chef Josh Mathewson and sous chef Kiri Booth after the August announcement that the store would be closing because of water damage. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

But despite the setback – which has left 18 staff without work – Ms Chung said a range of “exciting opportunities” in recent weeks had helped boost morale.

On Sunday, Sisterhood held a pop-up catered event at Taroona’s Picnic Basket, which drew about 200 people — an occasion Ms Chung said the business would like to continue doing once a month.

Thanks guys! This was ridiculous amounts of fun. The team loved getting back together for good food, drinks & vibes 🍴🥃🎶...

Posted by Sisterhood Hobart on Sunday, 13 October 2019

Sisterhood was this month nationally recognised as an environmental design finalist in the Australian Graphic Design Association awards, with winners to be announced next month.

In August, Sisterhood was short-listed in the 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards under the Best Cafe category.

“It just keeps the momentum going for us,” Ms Chung said.

“We haven’t had a chance to do much since the store closed so we appreciate when these opportunities and awards come up.”

SISTERHOOD OWNERS OVERWHELMED BY COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The exterior of Sandy Bay cafe Sisterhood. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Ms Chung said the store’s closure meant she had to turn down a visit from Qantas, which had wanted to feature the cafe in its in-flight magazine.

She said when Sisterhood eventually opens, staff would mark the occasion with a bang.

“We’re hoping to hold a weekend party and see if we can get a tattoo artist flown down from Melbourne to offer free peach [the company’s emblem] tattoos,” Ms Chung said.

She said the store’s new fit out would replicate its original design.