You’re enjoying your morning coffee, perched high above Cardiff South, listening to the sounds of passing drivers honking their horns as they offer a friendly wave.
While the coffee machine hums along to the cheerful tunes pumping out through mini speakers, you’re wondering whether to add a legendary toastie or a canele to your order.
All the while more fellow latte-lovers gather for their daily fix.
By the smiles and the friendly banter, you’d easily be mistaken for thinking you were in a small country town where everyone knew each other’s names.
And, that is exactly what the owners of Little Millards want you to feel.
Tucked neatly at the forefront of a row of shops at the top of Gertrude Street, the sage and white painted caravan has taken on a life of its own over the past two years.
While its menu includes simple all-day fare, the 1972-built structure has become home to so much more than good quality coffee and treats.
This renovated, repurposed holiday maker represents the return of “community” to the suburbs.
By bringing attention to detail and a commitment to quality, husband and wife team Gemma and Graham Arthur are bringing good old-fashioned service to the industry.
The Botero coffees they serve to every one of their customers are lovingly produced using the finest of ingredients and techniques.
And, that’s because they are serving them to new friends.
The pair of childhood sweethearts, now aged in their 50s, bring with them an extensive history of renovating – while Gemma brings the ideas, Graham is a talented tradesman.
Little Millards is their first foray into the food and beverage realm, and by all accounts they’re top of the class.
It’s a venture that began while on holiday in northern NSW.
A chance visit to the home of Botero coffee and the idea began brewing.
Sourcing the caravan in Medowie and putting their creative talents to the test, the iconic vintage sleeper was soon transformed.
It was their son who inadvertently named it after a turn at a precarious roundabout in Williamtown almost became its undoing and he called for extra care for “The Little Millard”.
Since then, the popular coffee van, now decked out with its own outdoor lights, homebuilt picnic benches, awnings and pot plants, has transformed a vacant plot of land into a bustling coffee destination.
The permanent fixture even boasts its own four-legged furry mascot, Coco the Golden Retriever.
Known as the site’s “concierge”, Coco is the family member that Gemma and Graham brought home with them after living and working in China for five years.
Though aging, the beloved pooch is never far from any Little Millards action, gaining her own band of loyal followers.
When Novocastrians were asked to vote for their favourite coffee haunt last month by the Newcastle Weekly, Little Millards was mentioned more than 500 times each week, testament to the loyalty of its followers.
Congratulations Little Millards, you are home to Newcastle’s Best Coffee.
For more stories like this:
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
