Susanna Freymark
Shelly Snadden is saying goodbye to her “little cafe”.
The doors and black gates of the Sugarbowl Cafe closed today, Wednesday, November 16.
After eight years, the cafe was more than somewhere to get a coffee and the “delicious and honest food” the cafe promoted.
The food was delicious but the cafe quickly became a place for Kyogle locals to meet. The knitting and yarning group met monthly and members’ artworks added colour and vibrancy to the cafe exterior. There was always a knitting surprise lurking on a door hinge. It could be an animal or flower, but it was always colourful.
The cafe was used for meetings, was integral to the writers festival and before the weekly farmers market you could grab a hot coffee on your way to shop for local produce.
If there was an event on such as the Giant Pumpkin Festival, the Sugarbowl Cafe would be right at the centre of the action — serving food and friendliness with Shelly buzzing around making sure everything was running smoothly.
Being at the cafe and in its large outdoor garden was like being at a friend’s place — and they were cooking for you! Dogs sat under tables and people stayed for a long time talking about life and the world across long wooden tables. At the Sugarbowl it felt like time stopped. Just for a moment. And it was as delicious as the food.
One time I was interviewing eight dairy farmers about the price of milk. I wanted them all to be drinking a glass of milk for the photo. As soon as Shelly heard that, she was pouring Norco milk into tall glasses. It made a great pic.
Resident April Maple wrote on the cafe Facebook page that the cafe “nourished my body and soul”.
It seems it did that for lots of people and there has been sadness and surprise that the cafe was closing.
It’s going to be a huge change for Shelly and husband Brett who ran the cafe. And one that has been coming for some time.
Two days before Christmas 2021, their son, Lachie Snadden, 18, was killed when his Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a car on Blue Knob Road near Lilian Rock.
Shelly and Brett are “ready to slow down and spend more time with family”.
“We want to thank all our lovely and loyal customers for their support over the years. As well as our staff, we couldn’t have done it without you and will be forever grateful for your commitment,” Shelly said.
The cafe is on the market with Croker Realty.
There were many comments on the cafe’s Facebook page. Here are a few.
I’m so sorry to learn this but understand and on behalf of the Crochet Queens and Knights wat Knit a huge thanks for hosting our creative pursuits and wish you all the best for your future. Thank you, the Sugarbowl corner will never be the same: Lynda Clark
Thank you for the happy faces, the warm greetings, all the wonderful meals and the fabulous coffees. We will miss you, Kyogle will miss you. Take care dear lady. Wishing you and your family all the best: Jo Springer
Best of luck with your future and thank you for being part of our community and Main Street activities. You will be missed: Janet Wilson
Oh wow, I didn’t see that coming. Last few years have been very hard for you and your family, so hang up the tongs and the coffee mugs and enjoy your time off. Was a great place to meet up with friends or just sit quietly in the corner on your own if that was needed. Your food was outstanding.
You will be missed by many: Brendan Cameron
Fundraiser to farewell Lachie, funeral service in January
and then