There's a new splash of sunshine in Hepburn Springs that’s impossible to miss.

Painted a bold, welcoming yellow with a smart white trim, Cello Café has breathed fresh life into one of the village's most recognisable heritage buildings. Welcome to the ‘hood’s latest offering, where locals and visitors can linger over great coffee, hearty food and just a little retail therapy.

Opened in April, Cello is the latest venture from mother-and-daughter duo Kathy and Hannah Wadsworth, whose business partnership stretches back more than two decades.

"It's pretty special," Hannah says. "We've always worked together, since I was about 10 or 11. Mum had homewares and furniture businesses, then fashion, and I was the one cleaning windows and playing behind the counter."

That lifelong partnership has evolved through fashion boutiques, cafés and, during the uncertainty of COVID, the launch of Maze Café & Larder at Daylesford's Mill Markets. But it was Hepburn Springs that has most recently captured their imagination.

"We felt Hepburn needed a locals' café," Hannah says. "We looked at this building and all the history of the beautiful businesses that had been here before and thought it needed new custodians to really take it on and give it some love."

Love, as it turned out, came in the form of six intense weeks of renovation.

The pair painted almost every surface themselves, painstakingly cutting in around ageing shelving that refused to cooperate with straight lines. The cheerful yellow façade was the first move.

"We just thought, 'Let's paint the outside, to say something new is happening,'" Hannah says. "People instantly said, 'That's fresh, that's cheery,' and that's exactly what we wanted."

Inside, the heritage character remains, with pressed metal ceilings and thoughtfully curated interiors, while vintage bentwood chairs sourced from across Victoria add warmth and charm. Many were rescued from Facebook Marketplace before being lovingly restored.

The result is a café that feels both timeless and contemporary.

"We've done everything very intentionally," Hannah says. "It's got a beautiful atmosphere."

That philosophy extends to the menu. Rather than chasing food trends, Cello focuses on unpretentious dishes with thoughtful twists. Think classic eggs Benedict elevated with lemon myrtle hollandaise, alongside weekly lunch specials and house-made jams, pickles and relishes that also line the retail shelves.

Coffee is equally considered, made with Bermuda Coffee Roasters beans and Gippsland Jersey milk.

"We're pretty particular about coffee," Hannah says. "We've got an incredible team, and our lead barista has been with us since he was 16."

Cello goes beyond the café remit. Visitors can browse gourmet pantry items, locally made gifts, clothing and homewares, some of which even connect with what’s on the menu.

"We wanted people to spend a slower morning here," Hannah explains. "You might have a pot of tea, fall in love with it, then take some home. It's about creating an experience, not just serving a meal."

At the heart of it all remains the remarkable working relationship between Hannah and Kathy.

"We're a bit of a yin and yang operation," Hannah says. "Mum's the mother hen and front of house. I'm more kitchen and always thinking about what's next. We've never had a storm out or a harsh word. We're just on the same wavelength."

Cello Hepburn
115 Main Road, Hepburn Springs
Open daily 8am – 3pm
cellohepburn.com

STORY BY LARISAA DUBECKI
PHOTOS BY KAIYA RAE