Collingwood cafe and homewares store Cibi has taken over the plant shop next door and added an expanded grocery and ready-to-eat range. “It’s an evolution of the offer,” says co-owner Zenta Tanaka, who founded the business with his wife Meg in 2008.
The new space continues the approach of Japanese inspiration combined with European elements. “It’s how we live,” he says. “We absorb European influences into Japanese and we bring Japanese elements into Australia. Last week’s steak on the barbecue might be reinvented with our miso. It’s that fluidity of everyday living.”
A tureen of miso soup sits on the counter, ready to ladle into cups. Bento boxes ($20) are ready for lunch on the go. Fresh produce from Ramarro Farm is piled invitingly, alongside Martelli pasta and Olsson’s salt. A pastry counter includes delights such as yuzu palmiers and pastry twists with pepper, cheddar and nori.
Adding lifestyle elements to the business makes sense to the Tanakas. “We consider Cibi home,” says Zenta Tanaka of the welcoming warehouse space, which is currently strung with 100 hand-dyed tenugui cloths in a joyful celebration of spring. “We want to offer people different ways to engage with what we do and who we are.”
Further encouraging lingering, there’s sake on tap and Victorian wine, all served in the beautiful glassware that’s sold on site. Afternoon aperitivo will include olives, cheese, miso nuts and house-made pickles.
“You can come here by yourself or with six friends; a great-grandparent can come with a child,” says Tanaka. “To see people here in whichever way they want to join us makes a happy day for us. It feels very natural.”
Behind the grocer, Cibi Home is a new salon for furniture and lighting. The range includes exquisite plywood objects manufactured by iconic Japanese fabricator Tendo Mokko.
“It’s timeless design to enjoy every day,” says Tanaka. “We are simply sitting, placing things on a table, bringing light into a room, but these acts can be experiences that make us happy. If it enriches us, we want to share it. Cibi is a space of happiness.”
Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm.
33-39 Keele Street, Collingwood, 0481 398 686, cibi.com.au.
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