Exhausting their time in hidden commercial kitchens, Alice Bennett (Miss Trixie Drinks Tea) and Alisha Henderson (Sweet Bakes) embarked on a quest to secure their own kitchen. After an extensive search steering clear of large factories, they discovered a site on Swan Street, now known as Co. Bake Space, which met their needs with a well-equipped kitchen and also surprised them with a charming retail space adding a unique touch to their business.
Despite Alice's initial reluctance to visit the Richmond site, her perspective quickly changed (thanks to some convincing from Alisha) when she realised the site was perfect for efficiently managing online cake orders and it wasn’t long when the two began to brainstorm ways of utilising the front retail section.
Noticing an abundance of coworking spaces that catered to regular nine-to-fivers, they realised there was nothing in the market for their fellow bakers–or really anyone in the creative fields.
“We started to have conversations around how we could transform the space into something we could share with the creative community,” Alice shares.
As those discussions evolved, the pair channeled their passion for supporting the larger creative community and made the decision to establish a central spot where anyone interested in hosting an event, pop-up store, or workshop could come together.
“It bridges the gap between people who can’t facilitate their own retail space but also provides that step up from a market experience,” Alicia adds.
Located on Swan Street in Richmond, the bright shop adds a pop of colour to the bustling strip and is accessible from all directions.
The former bakery shop front has been carefully designed by Dot Dot Dash. Decked out in warm monochromatic peach tones, the space has a contemporary and energetic feel designed to spotlight whoever or whatever is debuting in its midst. With light-up signs reading “Caking in progress' and touches of gingham–the room strikes the perfect balance between the limitless possibilities of a blank canvas and the allure of a thoughtfully preconfigured environment.
Since opening on Mother’s Day– Alice debuted her first-ever pop-up, where her exclusive cakes were available to purchase by the slice.
Testament to her baking skills and the overwhelming demand, her baked goods sold out in less than an hour. Alice jokingly suggested that they’re already calculating how to quadruple the recipe for future pop-ups.
“It gives us the opportunity to connect with our customers, get creative and out of our regular week in and week out,” Alice shared.
Coming from online businesses themselves–the duo hopes Co Bake Space will encourage others in the same position to connect with their audience in person through activations.
“It’s about allowing other people to come in and put their creative spin on the space,” Alisha says.
Already, Co. Bake Space has secured a range of exciting pop-ups nearly every weekend including a pop-up from ex-Attica pastry chef; Rosemary Andrews on June 17. On June 24–Fig & Salt’s Cassandra Morris will take over the venue alongside Melbourne florist Wild Flos. Later on in winter, expect a decadent popup from Cakeboi’s Reece Hignell and a flower workshop from Bloom Boy.
Both Alice and Alisha agree that this new business venture has helped them connect with the broader creative community, but that it has also opened up new business opportunities for them. The two share that a lot of the people looking to utilise the space have also wanted to work closely with them, which they say has been incredibly rewarding.
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Image credit: Griffin Simm