Memories of her grandmother

A combined cafe and general store has opened in Ocean View Rd, Ettalong.

Called Memories of Booker Bay, its proprietors are single mum Sue Jenkins and her long-time friend Kerry Crisafi who have moved to the Peninsula from the far western suburbs of Sydney.

Sue's grandmother lived on Booker Bay Road for 45 years before her death in 2001.

The shop, its decor, name and many of its products are a reflection of Sue's time with her grandmother on the Peninsula.

Sue has been a teacher for most of her life but has wanted to have a shop like this for over 20 years.

As soon as she saw the shop and its heritage appearance, memories of her time with her grandmother came flooding back and she knew that this was to be her destiny.

She mortgaged her house and made the move into her first business with the support of her family.

"We have been working on this since January and my dream came to life when we opened our doors on June 7," Sue said.

"We have been overwhelmed by the people, their response, support, positive comments and generosity," she said.

"They come in and give us things - gifts, decorations.

"One lady when she heard that a mishap at the laundrette resulted in all of our clothes being shrunk came in offering us a whole new wardrobe."

She is open for business from 6.30am every day and has already met her sales goal for the year in her first week of trading.

She puts her early success down to her good value food, old fashioned lollies, friendly atmosphere and perhaps a little supernatural influence as well.

Cec Bucello, June 25