REDFERN: The Park Café on Chalmers Street is an integral part of the community, welcoming coffee connoisseurs, crossword and Rabbitohs fans, artists and writers, dog lovers and dogs. New owners Peter and Elly Huttly have a happy and hopeful story to tell.
The Huttlys grew up in the housing commission flats on Walker Street. Elly was born there, and Peter moved there when he was 12. “Our mums were single parents and did the best job in raising the both of us,” Elly says.
“As kids growing up in Redfern, it was fantastic,” says Peter. “The city was our playground, and though we were exposed to things that kids shouldn’t see, we had a core group of friends; we supported each other through many hard times and those friendships are still strong today.”
The couple started dating as teenagers, and soon were married.
Elly recalls: “After leaving school I wanted to become a chef and did a few stints as an apprentice in various hotels. I joined Australia Post, hoping to work in the mail centre kitchens, but that never eventuated and I found my way into human resources.” Elly was with Australia Post for 20 years, then left and worked for a union organisation that represented postal workers.
Peter’s path was not dissimilar. “I worked in a few of the major city hotels, in cooking roles, aspiring to become a chef. I ended up in the corporate world, working for Australia Post in their international section for 23 years.”
The couple lived in Redfern up until their mid 30s, then moved to Mascot.
“Our dream was always to purchase a coffee shop. We were regulars at Harry’s [Park Café] and always would say to him, when you want to sell please keep us in mind,” Elly says. “So when Harry decided to sell, he came to us first, and we jumped at the chance.”
Peter and Elly hope the Park Café is a place where everybody feels equal and welcome. They also want to support local organisations including the PCYC, Souths Cares, the Salvos and South Sydney Uniting Church.
2020 has brought significant challenges. “Coronavirus absolutely gutted Peter and me,” Elly says. “We took over the business on January 13 and we saw the virus really come into effect around the end of March. Unfortunately, we had to close our doors for a number of weeks, but the hardest part was having to tell our staff we had to stand them down for that period.”
Staff members Debbie and Ally are back at work. Oley is now making coffees most mornings.
Peter says: “Redfern will always feel like home to us. We look forward to greeting our regulars as well as new customers.”
