Opening a cafe in an idyllic town within a small, welcoming community, and making people happy with great food. It’s a dream many people might share, but Marty Thomas was determined to make it a reality.
Despite having worked in hospitality all his life, starting his own business – Moo’s at Meeniyan – was completely new for Marty. Luckily, he and his cafe were embraced by the local community. “Everybody has been so welcoming, and the community has totally supported me,” explains Marty.
But he needed sound business advice and finance too. Bendigo Bank provided guidance and support, as well as business services. “When I started the business, they really did help me from the word go setting up a business, which was all foreign to me.”
Based in the tiny town of Meeniyan, Moo’s is staffed by the ‘Moo Crew’. The café uses fresh local produce including dairy and meat from the rich Gippsland pastures, and bread from the artisan bakery down the street.
“I feel very blessed that I’m able to help out,” says Marty. “And Bendigo Bank have helped to do that. Without having a bank like them, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to grow my business.”
To learn more about Marty’s approach, and check out some of his delicious dishes, watch the following video.
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Moo's at Meeniyan
Bendigo Bank I see as my little big bank. It's big in the respect that it competes with the big banks and offers all those services, but it's my little local bank. I can just go around the corner and they'll look after me.
My name is Marty. I have a restaurant here in Meeniyan called Moo's. I've been in hospitality all my life. It's always been my passion to make people feel happy and special.
Bendigo Bank has made me feel that my business matters by being a customer. I think that's really important. We like to support people who support us and vice versa, but also Bendigo Bank are always there for me when I need them. That's the most important thing. It's quite refreshing to know that I've got them just around the corner. The community here have been so generous. We've had fundraisers throughout the years. Everybody has been so welcoming and the community have totally supported me. I'm lucky that I do something that I love, a business that can help not only sustain my life, but and can help others. And I feel very blessed that I'm able to help out. And Bendigo Bank have helped do that.
My business-wise, I have an everyday business trading account and the loan on the building of the restaurant. And then I have also my home and investment property and a personal bank account as well. They all package in really well together. It's really quite intuitive. I can transfer and it makes it really easy for me amongst all the different accounts. I'm very glad that I opened my Bendigo bank account. When I started the business, they really did help me from the word go setting up a business, which was all foreign to me because I hadn't owned a business before. So basically from there, business really kickoff really quite well. Without having a bank like Bendigo Bank, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to grow my business. And I feel as though I can really rely on Bendigo Bank.
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