Nyree Lovell's cafe dream has been a long time coming.
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After decades in the hospitality industry, the Deloraine 49-year-old opened her own business, Nelly’s Cafe on Emu Bay, for the first time on Wednesday.
“I love the whole coffee scene,” Mrs Lovell said.
“It's always been my dream to have my own cafe and coffee shop; it's something I've always wanted from a very young age.
“We only opened Wednesday but we've been overwhelmed by the community support and everyone's been so wonderful.”
Ms Lovell’s love for the hospitality industry kicked off in a Burnie milk bar, before she was taken on by the owners of the Compleat Angler Lodge and Great Lakes Hotel.
It was there she served high-profile diners including Malcolm Fraser and Slim Dusty, and was later encouraged to attend Drysdale campus in Hobart.
Ms Lovell took on other jobs in Launceston and Hobart before moving to Deloraine, and beginning an 18-year stint at Ashley Detention Centre, where she cooked and occasionally taught.
“When I first started at Ashley the (detainees) were allowed to work in the kitchen and we got a couple of young men through level 2 in hospitality and I think that's probably my greatest achievement from working at Ashley.
“Then for safety reasons they stopped them working in the kitchen and I missed the interaction with the young people, so that's when I asked if I could (teach) one day in the school.”
Before leaving the post, Mrs Lovell undertook barista training under the tutorship of a detainee.
The strong bond with Ashley has carried over to Nelly’s Cafe on Emu Bay, with detainees helping to create the cafe’s indoor menu boards.
With the cafe’s first week of trade done and dusted, Mrs Lovell thanked staff and customers for their role in what has been a busy but exciting first week for the business.
“It's been unbelievable, I just can't thank the community, family and friends enough for the support they've given me, it's been amazing.”
Nelly’s Cafe on Emu Bay is open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 3pm Saturday.