Major road project supports a small business

The way to the heart is through the stomach, as the saying goes, and two innovative women are winning plenty of hearts after seizing an unexpected business opportunity with South Australia’s new Northern Expressway (NEXY) project.

Marilyn Kouimtzis and Julie Meredith operate a small catering van known affectionately as The Love Shack, through which they provide food and an on-site/off-site catering service for around 300 project staff plus visitors.

The unusual name was suggested by a customer and was chosen for the business because, “we really love working here, plus everyone raves about our food so we tell them we put all our love into it!” said Ms Kouimtzis.

“A typical day in The Love Shack involves a lot of cooking, preparing, cooking, cleaning, and more cooking!” she said.

“We love everything about our job and our customers are fantastic, we wouldn't change a thing.”

Ms Kouimtzis refers to site staff as ‘the NEXY family’ and said she feels proud to be involved with such a major project.

“We think our community has benefited greatly through local employment. For example, we have been able to employ two other staff members as well,” she said.

Ms Kouimtzis is also using the opportunity to raise money to support local charities.

“We donate 20 cents for every cup of coffee sold to a community tin, and at the end of the project [contractor] Fulton Hogan will triple the total we have raised, which will then be donated to local charities,” she said.

As a result of the coffee donations, a cheque for $1,600 has already been presented to volunteer fire fighters at the Dalkeith Country Fire Service, who have used the money to improve their training facilities.

More In Focus articles