If you’ve driven along Glebe Road recently, you might have noticed a new space coming to life next door to where Adamstown’s Habitat has sat for more than two decades. 

We’re excited to introduce Local Customs, the brand-new cafe brought to you by twin brothers Shaun and Daniel Osborn of The Bondwood Cafe.

The boys officially opened to the public on Friday March 8, followed by a bustling Saturday set on the 9th with Afro jazz band Kalakuta Republic and Big Jarda.

The massive space is an oasis from the bustle of the main road – a place where Shaun and Daniel hope the community can come to chill out and slow down.

“We want to have something here for the community that’s not necessarily a place to just grab and run – we want people to come and sit and enjoy the space, and feel welcome to relax and experience an environment that’s making you want to slow down,” Shaun said.

Stepping into Local Customs, you certainly feel instantly relaxed. The expansive, leafy courtyard beckons, the staff are warm and friendly yet laid back, and the comfy furnishings invite you to stay a while.

Having a brick-and-mortar cafe has always been the twins’ dream, so when the opportunity to transform some of Habitat’s former space came up, it was a no-brainer.

“We’ve had a nice relationship with Habitat, being close-proximity businesses, across the road from each other. We’ve always seen the courtyard over here as a place where a really beautiful cafe could take place.”

Local Customs has been a year in the making, with Shaun and Daniel enlisting the help of their dad, friends, and community members to undertake the huge fit-out job. 

The result is a bright, airy cafe with plenty of plants, vintage furnishings, and an open kitchen – where the magic happens.

Shaun and Daniel have been working with chef Sarah Kokkin for the last three months to develop a menu that’s approachable but unique, with dishes like the woodfired panini and a mortadella sandwich fast becoming local favourites.

“Once we have our menu trialled and tested, it will probably look like that for consistency and so everyone can come and get their favourites. Rather than change that every couple of months, we’re going to offer specials rotating all the time, so there is that fresh new option,” Daniel said.

Quality coffee is at the core of Local Customs’ offering, with Shaun and Daniel working with locals Glitch Coffee Roasters to develop their own blend.

“We’ve done a lot of tasting and cupping and playing with all the recipes and we’ve come to something that we love.”

After you’ve enjoyed your meal and a coffee (or two), make sure you browse the cafe’s impressive retail shelves. There’s a pantry section with, in Shaun’s words, “some pretty mean hot sauces,” among other goodies, a deli fridge with local cheeses and delicious dips, a selection of tea by The Tea Collective, a homewares section, and even a pop-up record store by Abicus.

The team will be throwing on some vinyl on the cafe’s record player when they can, including on Wax On Wednesdays, where records will be spinning all day.

And that’s not all – if you've got an upcoming event or function, the team is looking at opening up the space for hire – watch this space! PLUS a new tenant is joining Local Customs and Habitat this year, bringing a nursery to Glebe Road. 

“Come and get your landscaping designed by them, your interior designed by Habitat, then talk about it over coffee.”

As for what’s happening with The Bondwood now that the boys have taken on a new project? Loyal fans won’t have to worry, because the coffee caravan isn’t going anywhere.

“We love the Bondwood, we’re not neglecting or forgetting about it, we have a passion for it. With the park and everything about Adamstown that’s happening, the new developments and kids playground – the caravan is there to stay.”