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Edwina Bartholomew and husband Neil Varcoe have announced quite a surprising career move.
The Sunrise star, 42, took to Instagram this week to reveal that she and Neil have become proud owners of a cafe in the Central West of New South Wales.
Dubbed The Village Grocer, the cafe is in the town of Carcoar, where Edwina and Neil are also turning a country pub into a luxe guesthouse called Saltash Farm.
Edwina shared a clip showing her and Neil inside their new cafe, set to open its doors in just over a week.
'It's super, super exciting – it's going to be all local produce,' Edwina said in the clip.
'We open next Sunday,' she added, to which Neil added the caveat: 'Hopefully.'
Edwina Bartholomew and husband Neil Varcoe have announced quite a surprising career move
The Sunrise star, 42, took to Instagram this week to reveal that she and Neil have become proud owners of a cafe in the Central West of New South Wales
The clip then showed the work still to be done to get the cafe ready for opening, but the couple appeared up for the challenge.
Edwina added that the cafe would work in synergy with Saltash Farm, which will feature an orchard, an organic kitchen garden, rare-breed chickens and sheep on the property.
'As you can see, a bit of work to do but this is kind of the beginning of Saltash Farm, because everything we make over there ends up in here as well,' she said.
Pointing out the apron she was wearing, Edwina then proved her claim by revealing she had been busy in the kitchen whipping up jam.
Writing about the new venture in her column for Country Life, Edwina said that she and Neil were 'a bit mad' for taking on such ambitious projects.
'We know it’s not possible to build a project like our hotel in isolation. It only works if it’s built with and for the community that it sits within,' Edwina wrote.
'The town’s shops need to thrive, and the main street needs buzz. People need a reason to turn off the highway, and sometimes a good coffee and a sandwich is a good start.'
The couple bought Saltash Farm for just over $1million in 2023, and, in September 2024, finally received approval to move ahead with their dream to convert the building into a luxury getaway.
Dubbed The Village Grocer, the cafe is in the town of Carcoar, where Edwina and Neil are also turning a country pub into a luxe guesthouse called Saltash Farm.
'As you can see, a bit of work to do but this is kind of the beginning of Saltash Farm, because everything we make over there ends up in here as well,' she said
Edwina said at the time that the couple were determined to finish the project despite the Sunrise star being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia.
'We are forging ahead with this incredible project despite this health setback,' Edwina said.
'I adore being in the country. It will be lovely to have a bit more time with family to enjoy life at a slower pace.'
She added that working on the home would help keep her busy and take her mind off her cancer diagnosis.
'This is a condition I will manage and live with. Our renovation has been a beautiful distraction and will continue to be in the months to come,' Edwina continued.
Aside from Saltash Farm and The Village Grocer, Edwina and Neil also own a stunning Blue Mountains farm retreat.
Dubbed Warramba, the couple purchased the idyllic 42-hectare property back in January 2016.
The couple then spent years restoring the circa-1890s farmhouse and surrounds into a tranquil rural getaway.
Dubbed Warramba, the couple purchased the the idyllic 42-hectare property back in January 2016
Located three hours west of Sydney, Warramba is nestled in the heart of the Capertee Valley – the widest enclosed valley in the world.
It is surrounded by the Wollemi, Capertee and Gardens of Stone national parks, as well as the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area.
Those wanting a glimpse of Edwina and Neil's enviable rural lifestyle can do so for a rather hefty price, at $698 per couple per night.
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