Titilua Ikenasio, Narrandera Argus

A new child-friendly eating place ‘The Yard’ Cafe has officially opened on East Street Narrandera, bringing with it new flavours and a new look.

The Yard Cafe opened on Monday morning offering all the cafe classics as well as new products for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Owners Cass and Oz Fikri are no strangers to the world of hospitality as the Sydney locals resume includes years of work in hotel and event management, a cafe and take away store as well as a kebab shop they ran for 12 years.

The couple are still fairly new to town after opting for a lifestyle change to the country to raise their children.

They stumbled across Narrandera by chance while passing through on a road trip and were charmed by the town and its friendly country hospitality.

The ‘Yard’ has taken over six months to finally come together and the couple are excited to share with the community what they have created.

“It feels surreal. It has been a long time coming preparation-wise and we are just overwhelmed with the response from the community and so many locals lending us a hand to get ready,” Cassie Fikri said.

“Our soft opening on Friday was patronised by lots of families licking gelatos and it was so lovely to hear the children playing in ‘The Yard’ – it is absolutely just what we wanted to create and share with the community”.

The cafe’s menu will include all the cafe classics as well as a range of gelato, ice cream and sorbet for the family to enjoy on hot days or after dinner.

They will also be bringing a Mexican flair with burritos and burrito bowls on offer and hope to extend their menu with new foods once they have settled in.

The cafe is located in the yard of 80 East Street where the old Commonwealth Bank once stood.

This space has been transformed to cater to all members of the community both young and old.

It was especially important to Cassie that the space was children friendly because as parents they know how difficult it can be to find a space to relax while knowing the children are happy and safe.

“I have personally just gone through the toddler stage of my children and I found it so hard to get a coffee or go to a cafe with the little ones or have adequate pram access,” she said.

“We have plenty of room for your children and have created a kids play area in our ‘Yard’ with cubby house, trampoline, sandpit and market stall.

“Parents can enjoy a coffee and relax knowing their children are occupied and safe.”

This article appeared in Narrandera Argus, 9 March 2023.