If you’ve been to Columbus Coffee on Rosebank Road lately, you might have noticed a few new faces behind the counter. The well-known café, with its familiar yellow façade, is under new management, and the team is pleased to invite you to stop in for a coffee or a bite to eat.
Owner Punarvasu Tatipalli, who purchased the café with his wife Katy in late March this year, says he and his team are focused on providing excellent customer service – and great coffee.
“The most important focus for the café is having a high level of service and a unique and delicious menu offering,” he says. “And, obviously, a great atmosphere with comfortable seating, where customers can find the perfect balance between working and enjoying their coffee.”
When Punnu, as he is known to friends and colleagues, took over Columbus Coffee, it was his very first foray into the café industry. The move was both an exciting new challenge and a perfect fit for his experience as a retail manager.
“Although I haven’t worked in a café environment before, I used to be a multi-store area manager at JB Hi-Fi, and my first-ever job was at Restaurant Brands,” he says. “Back in the early 2000s, Starbucks was part of their chain.”
The café’s location within Rosebank also made perfect sense to Punnu. “There were three main contributing factors,” he says, of the decision to go into business here. “Maintaining a home/work balance, the local customer reach, and the fact that Rosebank is a busy suburb with such a big industrial demographic. I believed my expertise in maintaining business clientele would be an asset to welcoming more local customers and putting a face to the Columbus Coffee name here in Rosebank.”
With a few months of café ownership now under his belt, Punnu says he enjoys doing the little things that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for his customers. “I believe it’s important to know your customers and to welcome them at the counter, and to play good music. Great coffee and consistently good service go a long way, too.”
As the new co-owner, Punnu undertook a complete refurbishment of the decade-old space. “Because everything was almost ten years old, I’ve invested in all new modern furniture, including corporate meeting tables and high tables, and new lighting to complement our interior design and colours.”
Punnu’s staff is a close-knit team of four, and he says that their positive attitudes create a fun, productive working environment and a friendly space for customers, too.
“Even though we’re all new, the team is collaborative and the camaraderie is great,” he says. “We’re an enthusiastic bunch, and we have that constant banter amongst us. This creates a friendly and professional atmosphere, even during busy periods – maintaining a positive and friendly presence is vital. Everyone on the team communicates openly, and they never shy away from asking for help when it is needed.”
And although he might leave making flat whites to his expert baristas, Punnu says he enjoys working with his team in the day-to-day running of the café. “As a business owner, I’m always aware of what’s going on, and I keep myself busy, helping and lending a hand before my staff needs to ask for help. I believe this is the perfect recipe for creating a balance between employer and employee in a small team.”
The café is open Monday through Saturday and offers both a regular “kitchen menu” and a seasonal menu. There is also a business catering menu designed by Punnu with Rosebank locals in mind, with options like canapés, club sandwiches, pasta salad, and desserts made with creme fraiche. There is free parking out front, and highchairs available for little ones.
With autumn’s chilly temperatures upon us, Punnu says he has lots of classic and comforting menu options in store for winter. “As we head into the winter season, we’re launching our new ‘Local Favourites’,” he says. “Classic beef burgers and crumbed fish and chips, to name a few. Come and see us at the café and keep an eye out for the menu launch in the first week of June.”
Columbus Coffee is located at 391 Rosebank Road. Their opening hours are from 7am to 3pm Monday through Friday, and 8am to 2pm on Saturday.