Following a brief stint in law school, in 2021 Lucy Conway pursued her dream of owning her own café.
After moving back to her hometown of Wānaka in New Zealand, she found an old café for lease, which she took the time to renovate from top to bottom to create Scroggin Coffee and Eatery.
A unique and homely café where you can taste local produce in traditionally inspired dishes, its interior design is reflective of the beautiful New Zealand landscape and backcountry huts of Wānaka.
“When people walk into the café, I wanted it to feel like an extension of the environment, so we only used natural materials to create a warm and earthy feel,” she says.
Lucy’s desire to encapsulate the café’s surroundings and culture expands to the food menu, where seasonal ingredients are prioritised.
“Since day one, our Scroggin Benedict has been the best seller. It’s a simple breakfast sandwich, but people just love it,” she says.
“We also have a lamb toast to showcase local produce. With these richer dishes, I always recommend pairing it with a black coffee.”
As for sweet treats, all of Scroggin’s croissants, cakes, and breads are baked in-house and served alongside its range of specialty coffees.
“It is a growing part of our business and, so far, it’s been well received. The best way to start the morning is with a croissant and cortado,” says Lucy.
The café’s name takes inspiration from the colloquialisms of the area, something Lucy says is fitting considering the inspiration behind her food and interiors.
“The name Scroggin is the New Zealand term for trail mix. Trailmix is sweet and salty, so the café represents all the good things mixed in one.”
This idea is also reflected in Lucy’s choice of coffee, which is provided by local roaster Wolf Coffee.
“We use a light to medium roast which has chocolate and blueberry notes; I describe it as being light and delicate,” she says.
“I really wanted our coffee to be different. I love to educate my customers on our blend, especially why it’s different to some of the other darker roasts available in the area.
“Using a small local roaster is important to us in terms of sustainability too, having the team close by is great and they deliver beans in reusable tins.”
Four years into the business, Lucy is planning her next moves and is looking to expand by introducing another location in the town.
“I’ve been looking to open another café for about a year and a half now, but I am taking my time until I find a property that looks and feels right,” she says.
Scroggin Coffee and Eatery
71 Ardmore Street, Wānaka,
New Zealand, 9305
Open daily from 7am to 3.30pm
This article appears in the August/September 2024 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
