Daly Coffee Kick

Brewing connection in the heart of Campbelltown City Council

Tucked away in our City is a lively community café that’s quietly become one of the area’s most beloved gathering spots. Daly Coffee Kick, nestled within the local sporting club precinct at Daly Oval, may appear unassuming at first glance, but it’s a thriving hub for locals, regulars, and even their furry companions.

For owner and manager Lisa Polujnikoff, growth has never been about overnight success—it’s been about deliberate, heartfelt expansion. ‘It’s been a steady and concentrated process,’ Lisa explains. Her vision has always centred on connection, with the café’s setup and ethos intentionally designed to serve the local community first.

A community-first experience

What truly sets Daly Coffee Kick apart is its deep connection to the people it serves. From the outset, Lisa made it her mission to create an inclusive, welcoming space. ‘We’ve focused on making it specifically for locals,’ she says. That vision has become reality, with familiar faces forming the majority of the café’s clientele and community groups gathering weekly.

The café works closely with Campbelltown City Council to host two community groups—one on Wednesdays for aged care socialisation, and another on alternate Thursdays for people with disability. These informal yet impactful gatherings provide companionship for those who might otherwise feel isolated. ‘We get regulars every week, and new faces join all the time,’ Lisa proudly shares.

The café also runs a popular Friday morning playgroup, offering local families a space for connection and creativity. With Play-Doh, painting, and toys on hand, the café often sees between five and twenty children attending—a nod to Lisa’s own past experiences raising young children in Roxby Downs, where community spaces helped forge friendships and support networks.

Dog-friendly and delicious

On any given day, the café’s outdoor seating area might be buzzing with up to 20 dogs lounging beside their owners. ‘It’s a hidden little gem,’ Lisa says, and it’s not just the locals who agree—the dogs seem to love it too. The café stocks SA-made Woofery dog treats, ensuring four-legged patrons are just as cared for as their humans.

Quality is paramount at Daly Coffee Kick. Lisa is meticulous about the food and drinks served, refusing to cut corners. ‘We’re only serving what we would eat ourselves,’ she insists. The café sources Fleurieu Milk Company products, bakes its own cakes and cookies, and is known for its consistently great coffee—another key to keeping customers coming back.

Supporting sport, building bonds

The Daly Coffee Kick’s success also lies in its unique location and symbiotic relationship with the local sporting club. From supporting family fun days to hosting visiting teams like the Norwood Junior Squad, the café is more than a food outlet—it’s part of the community’s beating heart.

The café and club operate collaboratively, never competing, but always complementing. Lisa ensures that if the club’s bistro is open, the café steps back, and vice versa. ‘We both benefit from each other,’ she says. ‘We work together and never compromise each other’s business.’

A background built on hospitality

Lisa’s roots in hospitality run deep. From early days managing Pizza Hut stores to later roles at Billy Baxter’s, she’s always gravitated towards leadership and community-focused roles. ‘Straight out of school, I was a store manager,’ she recalls. That passion eventually led her to take on Daly Coffee Kick, where her skills could finally merge with her community-driven vision.

While Lisa does have ambitions to keep improving, her goals are refreshingly grounded. ‘I don’t want a lot to change,’ she says. ‘I just want to do what I’m doing—better.’ For Lisa, success isn’t measured by profit alone but by the positive impact she can have on the community. That includes aesthetic upgrades to the café’s seating and supporting the club’s efforts to improve facilities for netball and tennis players.

‘I want people to know this is a community building—let’s use it,’ she says. ‘They’ve built this incredible space, and the sporting club use it well, but let’s also use it for connection, for support, for community as intended.’

Business tips from Lisa

• Count every dollar. Question every expense. ‘Even when I thought I was being vigilant, I found room to be even more so,’ she says.
• Prioritise staff. ‘Love your staff and have your staff love you.’
• Quality is non-negotiable. ‘From day one, I’ve never compromised on what we’re serving. There’s nothing worse than going out and not enjoying what you’re eating.’

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