A Cup of Inspiration: Meet Rana from Coffee & Crumb Co. in Thirlmere
Meet Rana, the owner of Coffee & Crumb Co. in Thirlmere. For Rana, hospitality has always been more than a career, it’s a lifelong passion. After spending 15 years as a chef, overcoming major health challenges and working in disability support, she found her way back to what she loves most: bringing people together over great coffee and homemade treats.
Since opening the cosy café in July 2025, and recently celebrating their first birthday, Coffee & Crumb Co. has quickly become a favourite with locals, known for its warm welcome, quality coffee and irresistible homemade cakes, slices and savoury snacks.
Let’s start off with a little bit about you
I've spent most of my working life in hospitality. I was a chef for 15 years before life threw me a few challenges. After three open-heart surgeries and a minor stroke, I had to step away from the kitchen and retrain. I worked in disability support for several years, but my passion for hospitality never left me. Eventually, I took the leap and opened Coffee & Crumb Co., bringing together everything I love; great coffee, homemade treats and creating a welcoming place for the community including pooches.
Tell us about Coffee & Crumb Co.
Coffee & Crumb Co. officially opened in July 2025. We're a cosy café that focuses on mostly takeaway quality coffee, homemade cakes, slices, pastries, cookies, sandwiches and sweet treats. We love creating things from scratch wherever we can. What makes us special is the genuine care we put into everything we do. We want every customer to feel like they're walking into a place where they're known, appreciated and always welcomed with a smile.
What inspired you to open your own café?
Hospitality has always been in my blood. This isn't my first rodeo, although after having to step away because of my health, I realised how much I missed creating food and connecting with people. Owning a café wasn't just about making coffee, it was about building something meaningful where people could gather, slow down and enjoy life's simple moments.
What do you think makes Coffee & Crumb Co. successful?
I believe it's the little things. Remembering customers' names and coffee orders, making people feel welcome, using quality ingredients and genuinely caring about every experience. We put a lot of love into everything we do, and I think people can feel that when they walk through the door.
Why did you choose Thirlmere?
Besides being my home town, I love the sense of community here. Thirlmere has a country-town feel where people still support local businesses and look out for one another. It felt like the perfect place to create a café that people could call their own.
What do you love most about the Wollondilly community?
The support has been incredible. From day one locals have welcomed us, encouraged us and shared our journey with friends and family. Every recommendation, every returning customer and every kind word has helped us grow, and we're so grateful for that support.
If someone was visiting Coffee & Crumb Co. for the first time, what should they try?
Definitely our vanilla slice, it's become a customer favourite & our Persian love cake. Pair them with one of our coffees and you'll quickly see why people keep coming back.
Aside from your own, which local businesses do you love supporting?
We’re incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful local businesses in our community, and we love supporting and collaborating with them wherever we can. We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with businesses including Amanda’s Hair & Co, Rock n Relax Remedial Massage, Saige N Thyme, W Events, The Gift & Bow Co, Super Savvy Savings, Embroidering Your World, and Liv 2 Learn Early Education Thirlmere. We also love seeing familiar faces pop in for their daily coffee, including the teams at Thirlmere Tyres, Thirlmere Medical Practice, Magic Wand Resume Service and Thirlmere Vets.
It’s fantastic to see local businesses supporting one another, whether it’s grabbing a coffee, working together on a project or simply spreading the word. That sense of collaboration and community is what makes doing business in Thirlmere and the surrounding area so special.
What has been your proudest accomplishment so far?
Opening Coffee & Crumb Co. after everything life has thrown at me. There were times when owning another café felt impossible, so seeing people walk through our doors every day and celebrating our first birthday has been incredibly rewarding.
And just for fun…what did you want to be when you were young?
I've always loved cooking and creating, so working with food was always where my heart was. Owning my own café became the dream as my career grew.
What was your first job, and what did it teach you?
My first hospitality job taught me that great customer service isn't just about serving food, it's about making people feel welcome and valued. That's something I still carry into the café every single day. I'm happy when our customers are happy.
Where do you see Coffee & Crumb Co. in the next 5 - 10 years?
I'd love to continue growing while staying true to who we are. Expanding our catering, introducing more homemade products and becoming a café that's known throughout the region for quality, warmth and community would be amazing.
Is there anything else you'd like people to know?
Coffee & Crumb Co. is more than just a café to me. It's proof that even when life changes your plans, new, but old dreams can still become reality. Every coffee we make and every slice we bake is made with care, and we're incredibly thankful to everyone who's supported us along the way.
Quick Six:
- Your coffee order is…espresso, piccolo or latte.
- Sweet or savoury? My diabetes will tell you savoury - every time.
- Favourite local spot for a day off? Exploring the Wollondilly area with a good coffee in hand.
- The pastry that sells out first is…Our vanilla slice, Persian love cake and caramel slice.
- Best local hidden gem? The beautiful countryside and friendly small-town atmosphere that makes Wollondilly so special.
- If you could have coffee with anyone, who would it be? My late father, he was the wisest and kindest man I've ever met.
