I have driven past this place a number of times and it intrigues me. So one day last week I pulled in to check it out.
What a gorgeous Bougainvillea cascading like a snow storm over the sign. That is quite specific and look what it is describing…
It looks deserted but I spy a door…
That explains it, the day was only Tuesday. But I decided to have a look around.
The gates are padlocked, but there is no glass in the front window, just bars. So I peer through…
This little dog peers back at me. As a guard dog he is not doing his duty as his tail is wagging and he looks very friendly.
There is a notice taped on the wall.
I decide I will have to return…
Today we went for a coffee. What a very quirky, unusual and rather way out place.
Branches decorate the ceiling, wine barrel table, sticks twine around a post with a bongo drum waiting to be played and that looks like a stainless steel door going nowhere!!!
I spot another two doors just for decoration. Can you see them?…
The area was filled with a very eclectic collection of chairs, tables and what I can only describe as “stuff” most of it I think has come from op shops or the tip.
We ordered chickpea crepes stuffed with smoked salmon, mushroom, spinach and capsicum, sprinkled with feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic dressing. There was only two other selections, Pita bread with a salad filling or eggs cooked as you liked…
Jack settled down with his book, while I prowled around taking photos. We were the only customers…
Out the back was an extensive vegetable garden area.
I rather coveted this old wheelbarrow with a large lavender bush in it…
Bright designs decorated the walls.
This must be the most unusual café on the Gold Coast. No glitz and glamour here.
I went to Google to find out more and this is what I found…
This is copied in full from their web page (all the spelling and grammar I have not corrected!)
The story of the project
I used to drive past this location and think what a great place for a business of some sort,but I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would have the privelage of doing something so awesome here as this. From the moment I saw a car out the front and enquired if they were the owner i have been on the most amazing faith journey culminating in this dream i aptly named ‘ramshackle’. The wiki definition explains it perfectly ‘shabby ,derelict, delapidated, tottering, jerry built, among other words. I really think wiki got it just a little wrong though. It should also say words like ‘amazing , cool, potential, quirky and eclectic. But oh well maybe wiki hasnt yet visited this cool awesome space full of such potential. A place that when you walk in you can feel ,see, imagine a future. You can see just how many lives it can entertain and even change for the good. How much culture can fit into one tiny part of a big flourishing area of the Gold Coast. That demands more than just tourism and begs for some personalization and sense of community.
Ramshackle can be a place for young and old to come and make their own. Leave their mark and express even a little part of themselves.
I am writing this presuming you have seen ramshackle. You have been inside. Because this is how you see what im saying for yourself. Ramshackle is a little place you have to experience to see and feel the vision for the place. But since many who read this havnt let me paint a picture. An 80 year old treasure with an ugliness that is beauty. Because its there anongst the tourism and glam,yet is the size of 3 house blocks really. It comprises of two seperate plots of land the size of 2 house blocks and the property to one side on yet another. Wooden and in a state of disrepair it it tells a story of so much that has Occured in this building. In recent years a nursery ,a hippy joint and a flourishing cafe and night spot. More recently the habitation of a family of homeless squatters who left their artwork around the joint,lol. By gone days have left various pieces on the property such as old weights that weigh a ton. Rusty and defunct. But more important than anything my vision is to make a kitchen from a seperate shipping container rather than try and revive an old gutted kitchen. This will be offered to food artisans to entertain us with their culinary expertise. The house will be a gallery for local art and artists to display their hidden talent. The outdoor undercover area for casual seating ,eating with coffee cart delivering 100% locally roasted and 100 % organic,fair trade beans. Richard Silipo has been in the industry for 25 years. The only roaster on he gold coast. Then the two back yards for more casual dining. One on rugs and the other on revived chairs saved from the tip. Ramshackle has a bell tent in the back yard for massage therapists and other uses.
basically ramshackle about opportunity to the unknowns out there that shoild be known. To give the dreamers and avenue to realise their lirpose and dream. Why? Because this was me. I have held a dream inside my heart for what seems like forever. This is a home for hearts that dream. But i am half way. There is no kitchen or grease trap. I have exhausted my funds and now its up to the community. For those who cone in breathe in the vision and see it in your minds eye. Now you can ontribute to make it something that exists. I need your help. Not just to dream and see as i do. But to put into action your belief and faith for this cute little joint. Will you help ? $5 or $10 or more if you wish. I promise I will keep going and bring this to pass. Do t you think we need a bit of ramshackle goodness in our lives?”
gypsy life 