EDITION 13
Local Customs
Smack bang in the heart of Glebe Road Adamstown lies a bustling new destination – Local Customs. Upon entering the expansive space, you’ll quickly discover that while good food and coffee is certainly guaranteed, there’s so much more on offer than your typical cafe. We had a chat with co-owner Shaun Osborn to find out more about this new neighbourhood favourite.
513 Glebe Road Adamstown NSW 2289
How does Local Customs stand out from other cafes?
Local Customs is designed to feel more like a social space than a cafe. It incorporates a diverse range of seating including the garden, deck, inside seating, lounges and kids areas; and we are dog friendly – so that’s a bonus!
Local Customs also offers a unique range of
bespoke retail items which you can’t really buy off the shelf anywhere else. We have a dedicated hot sauce section in our pantry where you can also find mustards, relishes, jams, pasta sauces and chocolates. Alongside the pantry, we offer fresh produce and a range of cheeses and dips in our deli fridge. We also have a dedicated record room stocked by Abicus on Darby Street.
We hope that visitors will see Local Customs as a destination, rather than just a cafe. There are two other businesses on site with us – Habitat Living which offers beautiful furniture and home decor, as well as Nursery on Glebe for all of the plant lovers. We encourage visitors to stay and relax for a while. They can grab a coffee and browse for a bit before sitting down for breakfast in the sun.
How would you describe the atmosphere, particularly on a weekend?
It’s all happening! We have a lot of space inside and out so it never feels too cramped despite it being busy. We play old school vinyl through our beautiful vintage hifi system that carries its sound around the whole shop. The kitchen is buzzing (and visible to the public), the staff are smiling, the coffees hot and the positive energy can be felt!
What can we expect from the cafe menu?
We have been working with Chef Sarah Kokkin for the past few months to bring Newcastle a unique menu that incorporates the city’s favorites but invites a little twist to each dish. We are focused on high quality, locally sourced ingredients throughout our menu, which we adapt seasonally. Vegan and gluten free options are everywhere and we are constantly updating our specials.
The woodfired panini has been a customer favourite from the get-go. It’s our take on a bacon and egg roll, featuring woodfired panini with house-made chilli jam, aioli, white onion, cheddar and rocket. Vegetarians can swap the bacon for halloumi, and we absolutely always recommend adding the house hash brown.
Can you tell us a bit about the owners and what led to taking over the space and opening Local Customs?
Local Customs is our second coffee shop to pop up in Adamstown. The Bondwood Cafe, our first shop, opened five years ago and is located directly across the road next to Adamstown Bowling Club.
We opened Local Customs to diversify our offering (there’s only so much we can push out of a little caravan, but we have certainly maximised its space – Acai bowls, toasties, smoothies, juice, you name it, we do it in that little caravan!) Local Customs presented an opportunity to offer so much more!
My twin brother Daniel and I (Shaun) own the shops, but it’s our amazing teams at both locations that keep them going. We have learnt over our 15 years in the industry that the most important thing is working with a team that keeps us inspired, and as a result the shop stays fresh and flowing. We’ve also learnt a thing or two about coffee over that time!
Local Customs is designed to feel more like a social space than a cafe. It incorporates a diverse range of eating including the garden, deck, inside seating, lounges and kids areas; and we are dog friendly!
Do you have any plans for special events?
Since opening day, we’ve had a range of different musicians play live for our weekend customers, and we certainly plan to keep that going. We’re currently working on a program of events and would love to offer the space up for function hire as well. Keep your eyes on our socials for updates
– @localcustoms.social.
Location
513 Glebe Road, Adamstown 2289
What makes Local Customs special?
The expansive space, speciality foods pantry, record shop and outdoor areas make Local Customs so much more than your average cafe. It’s also situated next door to a homewares and interiors store – Habitat Living – as well as Nursery on Glebe, so you’re encouraged to slow down, take your time and enjoy all that’s on offer.
Must try?
The Burnt Butter Porridge. With the inclusion of white chocolate sour cream, almond praline, pear and rhubarb, it’s just like having dessert for breakfast!