News / Cafes
Latest Chandos Road opening offers a haven for book lovers
With sunlit nooks, good quality drinks and a selection of novels on sale, Chandos Road’s latest cafe opening is a haven for book lovers.
Sellanraa, named after owner Jackson Jeff’s favourite novel Growth of the Soil, opened its doors at 9am on Saturday to a steady stream of customers.
“It’s been a bit of a mental seven weeks,” said Jeff, who spent the last two months fitting out the Redland cafe with his friend Dan.
“It was a stained glass workshop before called Opus Glass Design so I’ve had to fully kit it out, get the electrics in, build the bar, build the kitchen…
“Last night was intense. I left here about 1.30am yesterday.”
The sunlit space offers a good hideaway for book lovers
The result is a cream and brown interior, rattan lamps and traces of the stained glass shop it used to be in the windows.
On the first day, the cafe was packed with well-wishers, including a number of friends who dropped in to offer Jeff their congratulations.
Gluten-free food is available from fellow independent Gluno
The cafe offers a range of smoothies, loose-leaf teas and coffees, including less common options like macchiatos and cortados.
Gluten-free food is in abundance, including plenty of lunch options, with much of it provided by coeliac-friendly home catering business Gluno.
A bookshelf in the back room sells novels from Heron Books, an independent in nearby Clifton.
A bookshelf provides a pop-up for nearby Heron Books
Jeff worked as a barista for around ten years before taking the plunge and opening his own place.
“Daunting is definitely a word I would use,” he said, describing his new status as a small business owner.
“But I love it. I love talking to people, I love making coffees and I’m really looking forward to all the challenges and newness to come.
“All I want to do in this world is create a little corner for people to be with people they love, relax and meet people.”
All photos: Molly Pipe
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