For Dave and Norma Palmer, there is no secret recipe for their 25 years of success at Brassall Takeaway – just hard work and really, really good milkshakes.
Dave and Norma made the leap in March of 1994 from a small Malaysian curry business where they delivered homemade dishes to Dave’s fellow RAAF Personnel, to eventually moving into Brassall Shopping Centre to start a takeaway shop full time.
“At the time, a lot of people loved the curries because they had all been to Malaysia [with the RAAF],” Dave said.
“We still get a lot of customers from the Base 25 years later.”
During their time, they’ve seen many changes within the local shopping village – the biggest being the expansion of Brassall Shopping Centre which resulted in their shop relocating in 1997 to where it stands today.
Something that hasn’t changed however, is their penchant for affordable prices and customer service – which has kept locals coming back time and time again.
“My business concept is not about the money, it’s about the people,” Dave said.
“We’ve kept our prices affordable at a level where people almost consider it legendary.
“We’ve got people that used to come in when they were school kids who are coming in now with their own children.”
It’s this business model that has also seen their staff stay with them long term.
“We’ve got three staff members with us at the moment – one has been with us on and off for 15 years, one other has been with us for nearly 10 years and the other staff member has been with us for 8 years.”
Dabbling in everything from hot chips, kebabs and curry to desserts and milkshakes, Norma says that whilst customers love everything on the menu, it’s their milkshakes that are a must try item.
“Our customers love a bit of everything, but our milkshakes.. everyone loves our milkshakes,” she said.
“Icy cold milk, a generous serve of icecream, not stingy on the flavour and all at an affordable price.”
Dave and Norma are in the running for Countrywide’s Cafe of the Year – with the grand prize ironically being 25,000 dollars.
“It certainly would be nice to celebrate 25 years with 25,000 dollars,” Dave said.
To vote for Dave and Norma, visit www.cwcafeoftheyear.com.au and vote for Brassall Village Takeaway to ensure Dave and Norma take out the top prize. Voting opens April 8, and you will also go into the draw to win a $500 Visa Giftcard just for voting.
In the meantime, you can swing by the shop at Shop 17, Brassall Shopping Centre on March 12th to celebrate their 25th birthday, and to taste one of their famous milkshakes.
