In late 2023, a cross-country journey through the heart of Australia became the spark for a dream long in the making. Days of free camping, roadside coffees, and unforgettable meals in unlikely places: the Coober Pedy BP, where an Indian couple’s kebabs and mango lassi lingered as more than a memory, rekindled a deep affection for the landscapes and neighborhoods of home. Somewhere along those endless highways, Strollio’s vision began to crystallize. A vintage “Coffee Lounge” sign bought on impulse marked a promise to themselves, fulfilled months later when they stumbled upon an old deli in Tuart Hill. Its weathered walls, steeped in history, became the canvas for their shared passion: a warm, eclectic space that feels as much a reflection of the past as a connection to the present, where the community finds itself in every cup, every bite, and every story exchanged.

What inspired the creation of Strollios?

In late 2023 we drove across Australia together. This trip feels like the time when we seriously started thinking about making Nathan's dream of opening a sandwich shop a reality. We free camped most of the way, eating at servos and stopping on the side of the road to make coffee. We had lots of good food at the type of places you’d only find in the middle of nowhere - a kebab shop run by an Indian couple in the BP in Coober Pedy, for example, where we had the most epic meat box and mango lassi. Everything felt exciting and nostalgic, and really made us love Australia and reflect on the places and people that formed our childhood memories in the suburbs of Perth. We bought a light-up ‘Coffee Lounge’ sign at a vintage shop, “for when we decide to go for it, one day”. A few months later we saw the deli in Tuart Hill go up for lease, and fell in love with it. It has a story and history that very much shaped what we’ve done with the space, and felt like somewhere we could express our combined passions and interests, and create a place that would become a valuable addition to the neighbourhood.

How would you describe your personal style?

We both have overlapping interests and bits of culture that we reference in our personal style. Nathan collects images and creates collages, and is heavily influenced by “cultural detritus”, ephemera, and symbolism on the streets. I come from a fashion background and love story telling, so my wardrobe is an eclectic collection of influences from high and low culture.

What does community mean to you and your business?

Providing a ‘third place’ for people from all walks of life to engage with in whichever way feels natural to them is community to us, whether you want to catch up with friends over coffee, or just have a nice place to sit and read a book. It has been incredible how people in the Tuart Hill community have embraced Strollio’s as part of their daily lives. We have locals who pop in sometimes multiple times a day, for their regular order and a chat. The people who come to make deliveries or empty our bins will stay for a coffee, the kids who come spend their pocket money and wait to get picked up after school. Our offerings have evolved since we first opened, being shaped by suggestions and feedback from our customers. The relationship with our community is symbiotic, and Strollio’s has taken on a life of its own. It’s exciting to see where it will take us!