Three years ago, Tanya Schroeder bought the Ashton Post Office and opened the friendly, foliage-filled Ashton Post Office Café on Lobethal Road.
The retro, leafy cafe quickly endeared itself to locals, cyclists, visitors and dog owners not used to having somewhere to stop and get a coffee in this little-known part of the Adelaide Hills. Especially not somewhere this cute and cosy.
Unbeknownst to most, including her regulars and fans, Tanya always had a grander plan involving the old stone house next door.
Tanya has officially opened Cherry Bomb Café in a beautiful slice of history in Ashton, paying homage to the building’s past as well as the produce of the local area, chiefly cherries.
When Tanya purchased it in 2019, it was for the most part a 2-3 bedroom residence, but with one unique difference – the old scotch oven from the Lovibond’s bakery days was still there, and with it came a ton of inspiration and a steep learning curve of how to heat and bake in it.
In response to its proximity to so many cherry orchards, both the café menu and retail store features products seldom seen in Australia such as cherry jam, cherry ice cream, cherry vinegar, and of course, cherry pie.
Cherry Bomb Café’s menu showcases local ingredients and is designed by Tony Read, who honed his skills in Melbourne’s eclectic Yarraville café scene. It features delicious sourdough and other goods from a resident baker who will put the 150 year old scotch oven through its paces.
These unique baked goods are paired with Adelaide Hills produce in simple, delicious dishes. Bakery items and other produce will also be available to purchase and take away.
Tanya’s signature homeliness and love of vintage will be evident throughout the establishment’s indoor and outdoor eating areas, library, gallery and parlour for special events and large groups. All rooms have fire places for nestling next to during the cold Adelaide Hills winters.
In opening Cherry Bomb Café, Tanya is tapping in to a rich history of commerce, adorable naming conventions and community spirit that have been a part of 253 Lobethal Road, Ashton since the late nineteenth century.
From 1890 to 1941, Herbert and Emily Lovibond ran the Ashton General Store, bakery and post office in the building, which was also known as “Mrs Lovibond’s Emporium”. In its later years the store was reincarnated as the “Cache of Curios” antique store run by Ron and Colleen Clothier.
Cherry Bomb Café its open 8am to 3pm, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Where: 253 Lobethal Road, Ashton
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