Central Albury’s Retro Lane Café will enter a new chapter this October, when Junction Support Services becomes the café’s new operator following an expression of interest (EOI) process.
AlburyCity endorsed the lease agreement at its 17 August Extraordinary Council Meeting, paving the way for Junction Support Services to operate the QEII Square venue as Close Collective @ Retro Lane.
Junction operates Close Collective Café and Windbreak3690 in Wodonga, delivering a social enterprise model that builds strong, thriving communities by bringing people together through great food and by giving back and investing time in empowering younger generations.
The name “Close Collective” honours the work of Junction Support Services staff member Kate Close, a passionate advocate for young people and community who passed away in 2022 from cancer.
Junction’s vision for Close Collective @ Retro Lane is for the café to operate as a training ground for young people, offering them valuable experience in hospitality and business management.
Junction Support Services CEO Megan Hanley said the organisation was proud to partner with AlburyCity to build a strong, thriving community by working together to strengthen and expand opportunities for young people.
“Junction brings experience in delivering a commercially viable social-enterprise café and decades of expertise in youth support, education, and community engagement to build on Albury City’s vision for Retro Lane Café,” Ms Hanley said.
“Our focus is to grow Retro Lane Café’s reputation as an inclusive, vibrant space that delivers a quality customer experience while creating real pathways for young people through training, employment and skill-building.
“Junction’s work with youth and at Close Collective Café shows what’s possible when young people are given real pathways to employment, training and community connection – and we’re excited to bring that experience to Retro Lane.”
“We are committed to preserving a youth-first, socially conscious space, and ensuring the QE II Square precinct remains a vibrant, welcoming space where young people feel safe, connected and supported to thrive.”
AlburyCity’s Youth Development Team will continue delivering youth programs from the café site and will work alongside Junction Support Services to ensure the space remains an important hub for young people.
Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said Junction Support Services was a strong fit for the vision Council had established for Retro Lane Café.
“From the outset, Council sought an operator that would build on Retro Lane’s youth-focused and socially responsible purpose, and Junction has demonstrated a successful model that delivers exactly that,” he said.