Social Enterprises in Melbourne
Running a restaurant or cafe is tough. Decent staff is hard to find. Margins are razor-thin. Attractive fit-outs are expensive and need renewing every five to 10 years.
That's why we're impressed by the venues on this list. In addition to foregoing profit to help those in need, they operate in one of the toughest, most competitive industries around.
Each spot works to a slightly different model - from training refugees in-house, to simply donating profits - but all deserve your business.
Cafe
Tradeblock Cafe
Training deaf year 11 and 12 students in hospitality.
Cafe
Long Street Coffee
Featuring refugees and asylum seekers behind the coffee machine.
Cafe
Cromwell STREAT
More than 500 disadvantaged youths have trained at these cafes since 2010.
Cafe
Wild Timor Cafe Coburg
Buy a coffee, support farmers in Timor-Leste.
Cafe
Wild Timor Cafe Carlton
Spot number two for four soldiers turned philanthropists.
Cafe
All Things Equal
This inclusive cafe gives people with a disability a chance to work in a supportive hospitality environment and earn a sustainable income. It’s fun, energetic and serves crowd-pleasing brunches that’ll keep you coming back.
