Although a resident of Holbrook for 25 years, Vicki readily admits that she’s not a local — yet. “My daughters, who are 23 and 21, are locals, but I’m not yet; I’ve got about another five years to go,” she laughs.
Vicki, however, is a valued member of the Holbrook community as the proprietor of newsagency Holbrook News and Gifts, which has recently added coffee to its many offerings. “I’ve been in business for three years and the coffee machine has been going for six months now. Reading and coffee go hand in hand, it’s absolutely fabulous. We call it ‘the Jigsaw Coffee Shop’ because we’re hoping it [coffee] was the last piece to our puzzle,” Vicki explains.
But long-time customers can still get their copy of The Land or a last-minute birthday card here. “We also have gifts, toys, balloons, magazines, school supplies — we’re a one-stop shop.”
Vicki loves to share a chat with her customers, as well as good vibes. “At the moment we’re doing a ‘pay it forward’ coffee board. We have customers, locals, who will pay a coffee forward and then I’m lucky enough to transfer that to someone who’s not having a great day — it’s a pick-me-up and I get to do it every day! Anyone in the community’s who’s having a bad time gets to have a coffee and I just tick it off the board. I love doing it! It was a customer’s suggestion, but since it started it’s gone gangbusters.”
Holbrook News and Gifts is open 7 days
