After the past couple of years, it seems like more and more people have seized the opportunity to slow down and reassess their work-life balance. For some, it means working from home a few extra days a week, while for friends Jacquie Tapsall and Jess Sexton it means opting for a complete career change. Pre-pandemic, the duo were working as a corporate media producer and an epidemiologist, respectively, but when COVID (and lockdowns) stuck, they found themselves helping out at Dux Brew – a hole-in-the-wall coffee spot that opened at their gym, CrossFit Dux, while it was temporarily closed. It was here that they both got their first taste of hospitality life and started discussing the prospect of ditching their desk jobs in favour of an occupation that better suited their interests. These chats eventually snowballed into Our Space, a congenial caffeinery that looks to roll coffee, creativity and community into one inclusive and accessible package. The duo have snagged a cracker of a spot for the venue, converting a former mower shop into a dual-use abode for laid-back coffee stops and, soon, a studio for all sorts of engaging artistic activities. “We want this to be a place to be a creative release for people like Jess and I that have jobs that really burn us out,” says Jacquie. “We want to provide that, because people need that outlet to use their hands and escape from reality.”
A DIY fit-out process has seen Our Space’s abode given a crisp, light and bright makeover, with pops light blue adding a nice contrast to the white and timber palette. A scratch-built coffee counter looks out over a low-set seating area near the front window, while a room at the rear of the space offers plenty of extra seating for groups. If there’s one thing that Jacquie and Jess stress about Our Place, it’s that it is very dog friendly. A gated play space (frequently occupied by Jess and Jacquie’s pups Oakey, Maisel, Jack and Wiley) has dog beds and a bit of room for zoomies, while free dog treats are available at the counter. There’s plenty on offer for humans, too – Jacquie and Jess have linked up with Industry Beans to serve espresso and batch coffee, available alongside house-brewed chai, yoghurt cups, pastries from Brasserie Bread and treats from Church Mouse. In a few months, Our Space will launch its creative studio, hosting pottery classes (both wheel and hand-throwing), pop-up paint-and-sip classes and ikebana sessions.
Our Space is now open to the public, with text-ahead coffee ordering and on-site parking available. Head to the Stumble Guide for more details.
