Tucked into the neighbourhood streets of Salisbury Heights, General Store at the Heart is the kind of place you stumble upon once and then keep coming back to. Not just because the coffee is good or the food is comforting (though both are), but because every visit means something. This is a café built on purpose, connection and belonging.
At first glance, General Store at the Heart feels familiar in the best way. A warm, homey space surrounded by homes, parks and schools. A wholesome, nostalgic corner-store vibe that makes you feel instantly at ease. Every coffee and plate served here helps create meaningful work experience and employment pathways for people with disabilities, and for people who've faced barriers to work due to trauma, homelessness, mental health challenges, or lack of access to opportunity. It's hospitality with heart, where inclusion isn't a slogan. It's built into the daily rhythm of the café.
This is the first project by Local Heart Community Pty Ltd, a disability support and mentoring organisation focused on bridging the gap between potential and opportunity. Founder Fern comes from a background in community work, disability support and education.
“I wanted to blend hospitality with purpose — to build a place where people could learn, grow, belong and be celebrated. Customers don't just see staff serving coffee — they see people gaining skills, building confidence and working toward employment. Every shift is a success story in motion."
The café operates as a supported training environment with trained support workers, counsellors and university psychology students working alongside participants. The demographic here is a genuine mix of people from locals, school families after drop-off, weekend walkers, retirees to neighbours catching up. It's also a destination for customers who travel out of their way because they believe in ethical, purpose-driven hospitality. The team actively runs and supports:
- Supported employment and training programs
- Coffee & Cars community mornings
- Work-readiness pathways
- Partnerships with local organisations and employers
- Local sponsorships and collaborative events
And this is only the beginning. With the support of sponsors, the team is working toward launching a mobile coffee van, designed to bring training and employment opportunities directly into the community, meeting people where they are and opening doors in new spaces.
The menu here covers classic espresso favourites, alongside a loved iced coffee made with locally produced French vanilla bean gelati and finished with cream. The focus is on consistency, warmth and accessibility. Whether someone orders a long black or a caramel latte, the team are taught how to make people feel, building confidence through genuine hospitality.
General Store at the Heart reminds us what cafés can be at their best: places where people feel seen, welcomed, and part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a neighbourhood café with a far-reaching impact — one that turns everyday rituals into opportunities for growth, dignity and connection. And that’s something worth visiting again and again.
