It's more than a cafe

Hillary Kieft isn't just serving coffee and pancakes in her new business; she is also helping raise money to bring clean drinking water to villages in Indonesia.

Hillary opened the doors to The Well Cafe Stratford on Saturday and explains some of the profits from the business are going to help build wells in Indonesia, a project being co-ordinated by pastor Andrew Vossen of Te Awamutu.

Hillary already owns and runs The Well Cafe Eltham, and says branching out into Stratford "was always part of my plans. Stratford is my home and is a great place to have a business."

Hillary has been looking for a good location for the cafe, and says she was thrilled to be able to sign a lease for the premises on the corner of Broadway and Regan Street.

"It is the dream location really. The kitchen is everything I could want, and I have space for the catering side of the business as well as functions."

Hillary plans to open the cafe for evening dining three nights a week after the Christmas period as well.

"We will run it as BYO on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so it gives people another option for dining out in Stratford."

While the cafe has only been open for a few days, Hillary says they have been busy from the start.

"It's great to see how many people are happy to come in, say hello and support a new business in town."