By Jess Baker
The Southern Downs and Granite Belt community has thrown its support behind Stanthorpe locals Shane and Anna Schnitzerling after they re-opened one of the region’s most iconic cafés last week.
Anna and Shane reopened Vincenzo’s at the Big Apple on Thursday 1 July for the first time in three years, much to the excitement of visitors and locals.
Vincenzo’s now offers a large variety of gourmet local and international deli products, as well as wine, beer, breakfast, lunch and even gifts.
Anna said people seemed to be quite taken with the café’s new look and menu.
“I believe we’ve done really well. We’ve had some great, positive feedback,” she said.
“It’s been a long road but we’re here and it looks fantastic.
“It looks clean, fresh, open, (and) inviting.”
Anna said there had been a constant stream of people, mostly locals, visiting the café since it reopened on Thursday.
“(We’ve had) fantastic local support and a lot of people from out of town as well so it’s been great,” she said.
“Different demographic too. (There’s) a lot of older, there’s younger, there’s new people that even I don’t know that are local.”
Anna said Vincenzo’s now has a workforce of 15 people, but said the café has been inundated with applications.
She said she would like to thank Memo and Josie Mattiazzi for giving herself and Shane the opportunity to reopen Vincenzo’s, as well as the Stanthorpe public and her new staff.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi is one of countless locals who have shared their excitement about the refurbished café and deli.
“It’s great to see Anna and Shane back at home to start their new journey and I wish them all many years of success,” Cr Pennisi said in a Facebook post.
“Thank you for seizing the opportunity and having the confidence to reopen this icon.”
Vincenzo’s, located on the corner of New England Highway and Amiens Road at Thulimbah, is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 4pm Saturday to Sunday.
Visit www.vincenzoscafe.com.au to browse the café’s menu, bar, deli and gift shop.
