They’re scurrying through Hahndorf’s pint-sized main street, dodging the leather shop and munching on autumn leaves as they go. Who knows, they might even stop by for a tiny stein of Hofbräu lager, happily sipping under the blue umbrellas of The German Arms.
We bet you didn’t guess that we’re talking about a tiny gang of guinea pigs taking over a miniature version of Hahndorf’s village main street. Welcome to Hamdorf!
Don’t worry, we know they’re not hamsters, but come on, it’s too good a name to resist.
But there’s more to this adorable takeover than just some furry folk on the move. These little critters are about to star in their very own guinea pig cafe, right in the heart of Hahndorf’s actual main street. We think it might just be the first of its kind in SA.
The cafe is part of a project put together by NDIS provider AHH Life Skills, for the purpose of teaching barista skills to people with intellectual disabilities. The program will impart its participants with valuable training and lead to a Certificate III in Barista Training.
“The program means there will be a cafe and a great outlet for people with intellectual disabilities,” AHH Life Skills Managing Director Adelaide Schiblhut says.
The cafe does more than teach valuable barista and hospitality skills, though, as Adelaide explains:
“For us it was very important, and it started out with us teaching responsible social and digital literacy. If you’ve got an intellectual disability, and you’re on TikTok, for example, and you’re filming yourself, it can be a bit dangerous.”
“But if you’re filming guinea pigs and houses and telling stories in that way, it’s a much safer environment for people with intellectual disabilities to engage with digital media,” Adelaide continues.
Once the cafe is up and running they’ll sell coffee, toasties, and even sweet treats themed for each of the resident guinea pigs. Two guinea pigs named Cherry and Lemon Fizz both already have their own sweet counterparts.
Opening in June, the guinea pig cafe will set up shop at 91A Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, taking over the former premises of Udder Delights. It makes sense too, as the former cheese cellar on the bottom floor of the old building offers the perfect cool environment for the guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are highly social animals, which means only about a dozen can stay in Hamdorf at once. Once the current group has finished their Hamdorf holiday, they’ll return to their usual homes across from Wunderbar Farm in Hahndorf, and a fresh team of guinea pigs will be packing their tiny suitcases.
The Guinea Pigs live on the farm away fro the cafe where there are two stables as well as a large outdoor pen that is fox proof.
“Our disability group tend to them daily and they also grow a veggie garden specifically for the well loved pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep,” added Adelaide.
“We have a student/mentor studying veterinary nursing who also helps care for the guinea pigs and an email hotline to the exotic animal vets through the help of Greencross Vets on Wellington Road, Mount Barker.”
When we open the cafe to the public the replica township of Hahndorf will be in the Cheese cellar and will have a perspecx barrier so the public can view the pigs in the village while they hunt for hidden food treasures throughout the village. Different Guinea Pigs will come down on different days and our disability group are well informed and working for the best outcome for all the GP’s and the viewing public.
But what will you see when you visit? Well, so far Hamdorf consists of tiny versions of the Hahndorf Leathersmith and Bush Gallery, the Hahndorf Knife Shop, the German Arms Hotel, and The White House in Hahndorf. At this rate, we may see even more local icons before Hamdorf is officially unveiled in June.
Behind all the glorious models is local artist Tatty K, who has been leading internal arts and crafts groups for AHH Life Skills. Each model starts with a disused dolls house which is painstakingly transformed into a bright new model fit for the finest of guinea pigs.
Animal cafes have risen to cult like status around the world especially in Japan where some people travel just to visit as many as they can in Tokyo.
Some countries have even been known to include guinea pig as a treasured delicacy on their menu. This Hahndorf cafe, however, will not be partaking. Repeat: guinea pig is NOT on the menu.
This is an initiative bringing a lot of good to the local community, and perhaps this winter it’ll put a smile on your face as you peruse the streets of Hamdorf. It’s a whole new world of cuteness, one squeak at a time.
What: Hamdorf, a new guinea pig cafe
Where: 91A Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
When: Set to open June 2025
For more information on AHH Life Skills, click here.
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