Judith’s Cafe back in business

By Bianca Hall

Nov 28, 2022

Cheers: Cafe owner Juwien Rodrigazo with mum and namesake Judith Jansen.

Family-owned and operated business Judith’s Café has re-opened to a keen uptake by locals and visitors alike after being temporarily closed due to flood damage.

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A little more than a month ago, the café was inundated with water above knee-height.

Juwien Rodrigazo had purchased the business just six months earlier and his resilience has been put to the test.

Mr Rodrigazo lost all food and beverage stock, along with a cake fridge. Other equipment was able to be salvaged or repaired by electricians.

Like so many others, Judith’s Café did not having flood insurance.

Mr Rodrigazo is grateful for the government assistance that has allowed the business to continue.

“When we started the business, who would have thought we would have a flood here?” he said.

“I have all of the insurance but not for flood.”

Despite the setback, the café is doing well and experiencing increased trade since re-opening, which Mr Rodrigazo attributes to the warmer weather.

“Because of the summer there is more travellers ... and because of the floods there is more tradies as well, and they are all wanting take-away and food,” he said.

“The locals are so nice. They come and say, “oh, I’m so glad you’re open now'. Little things like that really make you understand why we started the business.

“That’s what we are here for… it’s nice to get back to small business.”