In the space where there used to be a tired old coin -operated laundry,  on Haultain at  Belmont in the Oaklands/Fernwood neighbourhood of Victoria, there is now a bright, open, snazzy coffee shop named Koffi. 

It only opened on Saturday; today it was full of parents with young children, older family groups, a number of people with laptops, one senior lady knitting (that would be me), joggers. 

They are deciding on their hours but plan to be open seven days a week, starting at seven on weekdays, later on weekends, and extending into the evening. 

My hot chocolate was made with good quality soya milk and the frothy top was swirled with chocolate; caramel was another option. 

There were cookies and biscotti, fruit danish, fruit salad. Interesting teas. And koffi coffee. 

The furniture – sofas, chairs and tables, are modern day Fifties style, mdF colours – brown and orange.  Neat swirly lights.  Neat floor treatment.  A chalkboard is at just the right height for kids who were making good use of it.

Yippeee!  It feels and speaks 'community' and the 'community' was there.