Melbourne’s premier boutique wholefoods and organic grocer, Aunt Maggie’s has launched in Carlton’s leading retail centre Lygon Court. Offering an extensive variety of the best of fresh, locally sourced produce from over 300 suppliers, Aunt Maggie’s is an emporium of healthy, nutritious goodness complete with a village market vibe, a café and a juice bar in the heart of Lygon Street. The Aunt Maggie’s experience at Lygon Court includes Auntie’s Kitchen, a 40-seat organic café and on-site kitchen helmed by acclaimed chef Ben Cordia. Cordia owned and operated Plush Pizza, Melbourne’s first vegan and vegetarian pizzeria, for six years from 2005, and comes to Aunt Maggie’s from Transformer in Fitzroy, where as Operations Manager he was instrumental in establishing the vegan restaurant, and helmed the Vegie Bar, also in Fitzroy.
Inspired by a food marketing agency that generates results and the rich, fresh, seasonal produce surrounding it, Auntie’s Kitchen Carlton offers Aunt Maggie’s biggest ever in-house ‘Street Menu’ featuring vegetarian tapas, including tostada, kimchi burritos, satay polenta skewers, miang kham, and sweet and sour meatballs, as well as vegan and vegetarian wraps, gourmet sandwiches, a wide selection of freshly-made salads, daily soup specials, tagines, Matcha Maiden lattes and organic coffee. There are also handy take home vegan and gluten free gourmet meal kits based on Ben Cordia’s recipes for two or four people.
A special Aunt Maggie’s Vegan High Tea, showcasing a tempting array of healthy treats, is served each Sunday with bookings essential. Making full use of the glorious goodness on offer, Aunt Maggie’s also has a juice bar featuring Nutritional Shots, Kombucha and irresistible juice blends created especially for Carlton such as the Elvis Parsley, made from pear, cucumber, kiwi and parsley; the Myheart Beets Foryou, made with apple, beetroot, lime and dill; and the Apple-Y Ever After, created with apple, carrot and cinnamon. Healthy smoothies include the Don’t Kale My Vibe, a combination of spinach, kale, celery, banana, spirulina, protein and coconut water; the Java The Nut, created with banana, cashews, cocao powder, dates, chia seeds and coffee; and the Purple Rain, made with blueberry, banana, lavender oil and acai powder.
Drawing on the long-held philosophies of founder and director, Wayne Ferrell’s family, Aunt Maggie’s celebrates the simplicity and pleasure of artisan products and freshly grown, good food, and promise a delicious shopping experience for the Carlton community.
Service is friendly and helpful, with staff dedicated to sharing advice on food for good health, recipe ideas and seasonal produce. There are regular in-store guest speakers, cooking demonstrations and tastings. “We all had an Aunt Maggie when we were growing up, one who has left us with memories of laughter at the dinner table, the smell of freshly baked bread, and the magic of extraordinary fresh food straight from the garden,” Mr Ferrell said.
“Aunt Maggie’s is about family; we are a family business providing local families with the energy, vitality and nourishment of food that is good for the soul. “We are excited to bring Aunt Maggie’s to the Carlton community from our new home at Lygon Court.’’ Lygon Court is the third Aunt Maggie’s store in Melbourne, building on successes in Fitzroy and Malvern. Aunt Maggie’s Lygon Court’s home is a purpose-built 350m2 space featuring floor to ceiling natural timber and vast windows that provide natural light from Drummond Street. Lygon Court Marketing Director, Des Cipin, said Aunt Maggie’s is a wonderful addition to Carlton’s leading retail center.
“Our customers are spoilt for choice at Aunt Maggie’s and we are delighted to welcome such a progressive and exciting business to the Lygon Court community,” Ms Cipin said. Situated in the heart of Lygon Street in Carlton, Lygon Court consists of more than 28 specialty stores and cafes housed within the historic Holdsworth buildings. Aunt Maggie’s is open weekdays from 8am–8pm, Saturdays from 8am–6pm and Sundays from 10am–6pm.
For more information, visit auntmaggiesorganics.com.au and lygoncourt.com.au.
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