Corner Grounds Cafe in Naracoorte is one big labour of love
The Corner Grounds building in Naracoorte, South Australia, has a long history as a community hub and a popular tourist stop. Now, the grand space has hit the market with the hopes of attracting someone who will fall in love with the building and the story behind it.
The striking limestone building was built by Alfred Limbert in 1864 as the first general store in the town 336 kilometres south-east of Adelaide. Limbert’s attachment to the property was so strong, he bought it back three separate times after selling it.
More than 160 years on, that same sense of devotion appears to have carried through to its current custodian. When vendor Kellie Obst first laid eyes on the long-neglected building in 2022, it wasn’t its condition that stood out, but its potential to be as grand as it was when Limbert first built it.
“I’ve often said, right from the start, that Alfred and I have something in common, because who would make a general store so grand?” she says.
“Most general stores were pokey little things on the corner, but everyone thought [this one] was the bank because it’s so magnificent looking on the outside. But no, he had great grand visions for a general store, and I had grand visions for a coffee shop.
“From the moment I looked through the windows, I knew exactly where everything was going.”
What followed was a two-year restoration driven almost entirely by Obst herself. Armed with her own tools and a background in hospitality, she undertook the majority of the renovation solo, from sanding and painting to rebuilding spaces that had, in parts, fallen into near ruin.
At the time of purchase, sections of the building had no ceilings, floors had collapsed into the cellar below, and parts of the rear structure were exposed to the elements.
“I’ve spent my whole life in hospitality, so I knew I wanted it to be a cafe and I love old buildings,” Obst says. “It was so rundown, and I just wanted a challenge – I’ve always been a bit of a go-getter and had renovated other properties myself.
“It’s state heritage listed, and it’s just the most beautiful building. I knew what it could come back to.”
The eastern side now operates as a bustling cafe, brought to life by what Obst describes as a “French rustic glam” aesthetic, which features a layered mix of salvaged materials, statement chandeliers, antique cabinetry and carefully sourced decor, with every piece boasting a story.
In one instance, Obst tracked down a rare French cabinet via an online marketplace and bought it for $300, only to discover there were just two of its kind in Australia. Eventually she found the second one, which cost quite a bit more, and she parted with $3500 to have the pair at the rear of the cafe.
The result is a space that feels at once curated and deeply personal, anchored by grand four-metre-high windows that flood the interior with natural light.
Beyond the cafe, the western portion of the property offers a self-contained, French-inspired two-bedroom residence. Obst once operated it as a high-end bed-and-breakfast that commanded strong nightly rates and consistent bookings, and eventually moved into it herself.
Set on a single title, the offering presents flexibility for incoming buyers, whether to continue operating the hospitality venue, lease it out, or reimagine the space entirely. Limbert also lived here when he was the owner, and Obst believes he still lingers in his much-loved project.
She recalls moments of catching the faint smell of cigarette smoke inside the building — a sign, she says, that its original owner might still be keeping watch. On one occasion, she credits that presence with alerting her to a maintenance issue before it worsened.
“Not long ago, the gutters were blocked and a lot of rain was coming in,” she says. “I smelt the waft of smoke, which I believe was Albert, I think, warning me of the potential flooding.”
On South Australia’s Limestone Coast between Melbourne and Adelaide, Naracoorte draws a steady stream of visitors, bolstered by its proximity to the World Heritage-listed caves, beautiful beaches, and the Coonawarra wine region. It has a strong community of around 9000 residents, who are the backbone of the business. Obst shares a connection with them and says she’s sad to walk away from them.
“I do get a lot of tourists coming in, but I’ve relied on locals that come in every single day,” she says. “They get their coffees in here every single day.”
Now offered to market with a $1.2 million price guide, including the option to acquire the cafe fitout and equipment, the sale marks the end of a significant chapter for Obst and the beginning of another.
Having poured what she describes as blood, sweat and tears into the restoration, she says the decision to sell hasn’t been taken lightly, but comes with a clear sense of readiness to move forward into a new chapter.
More importantly, she hopes the next owner connects with the building in the same way she and Limbert did.
“I want the next person to come in and fall in love with the building,” Obst says.
