Hemmings Street Neighbourhood Shopping Centre is one of the larger sized neighbourhood shopping areas in Greater Dandenong and is located approximately 1.2km to the west of the Central Dandenong Activity Centre. It consists of 23 shopfronts between no. 60-118 Hemmings Street.
At 86 Hemming Street there was once a family run hardware store which has recently had a facelift swapping hardware tools for tasty treats. Kafe on Hemmings is the newest local place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a barista crafted coffee in Dandenong.
This new business venture marks the return of the Chatgoglou family who have had a love affair for this street since the sixties. Nick Chatgoglou started out at 108 Hemming Street running the Dandenong West Fish and Chip shop between 1960 – 1990, before selling the business and joining his son Chris Chatgoglou, to run the local Hardware store. They ran the Dandy West Hardware store for an impressive twenty years (located at 86 Hemming Street).
After selling the business in 2000, the business only recently succumbed to the pressure of big business competition and closed. As a result, the building (still owned by the Chatgoglou family) remained vacant for a number of years.
Enter the third-generation family member, Leah, Chris’ daughter. Leah decided it was time to transform the building and breathe new life back into it and hopefully the street itself. It has taken a year and a half of hard work to transform the place into ‘Kafe on Hemmings” an inviting place to grab a bite to eat or coffee for breakfast, brunch or lunch.
When asked about the investment Leah will tell you a lot of hard work and money went into bringing this place up to scratch but it is a project Leah and her family are extremely proud of. Leah said, “…it is what this place deserved. This street, this community and the town itself have given my family so much over the years. We really wanted to do something special with this place once more.”
Leah’s business is still very much a family affair with her father, Chris, and mother Toula assisting in the operations. “Dad loves meeting with the customers as it takes him back to the ‘good old days’ of working in both the hardware store and fish and chip shop. Mum plays referee – offering emotional support for the family when dad and I disagree on decisions!” Leah said.
The family strongly believe in buying and supporting local. This is demonstrated in a number of ways including stocking local Bojak Brewing craft beer. Leah stated, “We are fully licenced and I think we can all agree it’s one of the best craft beers in Dandy! Our signage was done by Bennett Signs Dandenong, some of our produce including our eggs come from the Dandenong Market and we use the local IGA who supply newspapers and some of our groceries. We are always looking for local suppliers.
To learn more visit website www.kafeonhemmings.com
To read more stories like this read the latest Talking Business September 2022.
