Kiama's Central Perk Cafe owner to make a splash with new Shellharbour beachside kiosk and function centre

Kiama’s Central Perk Cafe owner Cam Thomas will operate a new kiosk and function centre from the picturesque Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club from August.

Naming the new venture The Sands Kiosk and The Sands Receptions, Cam said he brought with him a wealth of experience, having worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years in various establishments, including building and operating a successful wedding reception venue.

To complement the kiosk, he’s also renowned for his customer service and quality of food and coffee at the popular Central Perk Cafe in Kiama.

“What I did for 10 years was actually have my own wedding reception venue out in western Sydney,” he said.

“It was a wedding reception and guesthouse on 27 acres and I was running weddings and also doing high teas.”

He then joined the NSW Police Force for a seven-year break before purchasing Central Perk in 2021.

“I missed the hospitality, I missed that whole industry – so it’s gone full circle,” he said.

Cam said he was excited when he first saw the opportunity in early May to open a hospitality venue at the surf club, which overlooks Shellharbour North Beach.

“On the Tuesday it came up on my newsfeed that it was up for lease, by the Friday I’d done a site inspection and then from there, I supported it with my professional CV, my business background, and obviously a business plan moving forward,” he said.

“I had an interview with the surf lifesaving club board and pitched my idea to see if it was a good collaboration and obviously I’ve got the gig.”

Cam has wasted no time in progressing the venue, already working on setting up the kiosk.

“I’ve got my builders putting a servery window in for the kiosk, so the window is already in,” he said.

“I’ve brought in a lot of the kitchen equipment.

“So I’m possibly looking at the first week or two in August to open up the kiosk.

“The kiosk has the potential to operate seven days a week from 7 am to 7 pm.”

Cam said he would take advantage of the early morning trade with workers and walkers by opening early, but would close earlier during winter and extend trade during summer.

“From the kiosk point of view, we’ll be bringing on board similar stuff that we do here at the cafe that’s popular,” he said from Kiama.

“So we’re doing our bagels and sandwiches, but we’ll also extend the menu, so I’ll have burgers and beer-battered fish and chips.”

Cam said a sales and marketing coordinator was working on bookings for the function centre in readiness for the coming summer party season and weddings.

“With the catering, there’ll be a variety of menus on offer,” he said.

“With hosting those events, we’re open to any occasion – weddings, corporate functions – and I’ll be doing high teas once a month as well.

“It’s a prime location, and being on the beach to allow people to have a beach wedding is a drawcard.

“There seems to be a swell of excitement about it because it’s been a long time coming.”

Cam said it would be good for the Shellharbour community, along with the surf club itself, and he was looking forward to collaborating with the club on the project.

“It’ll be a big collaboration between myself and the surf club, so it’s going to be very community-focused,” he said.