CityNews speaks to some of the family businesses and family-friendly businesses who proudly share their expertise with the Canberra community.

There’s something special about a family business, where skills and legacy are passed between generations.

Canberra has no shortage of family businesses, with experience that spans generations and still growing today.

Family-run cafe serving up the ‘classics’

Owner and cafe all-rounder, Rosemary McVilly, and her husband, Gerard McVilly, purchased Cap’n Joe Cafe in mid-March.

She says together with their barista grandson, they have completely revolutionised the space, creating an environment that encourages people to spend a few hours enjoying the neighbourhood.

“We’re all about hospitality here,” she says.

“Most of the cafes in Canberra are ultra-modern and really clinical, and we’ve gone the other way.

“We still have the old-fashioned newspapers and magazines for people to read, we have our community book library, we also have the Phillip Support Local Businesses wall, where everyone can come in and put their business cards up there.”

“For the price of a coffee, they can grab a book off the shelf and sit down for an hour or two on our comfy sofas,” she says.

“We have a community jigsaw puzzle on the table, we have chess, we have backgammon.

“It’s a really nice feel, and we’re very family-oriented.”

They are also in the process of creating a pet-friendly area.

Rosemary says their most popular dishes are the cafe classics, such as the bacon and egg roll, eggs benedict and pancakes.

“It’s all cooked fresh,” she says.

“And we keep our prices down, I refuse to put my food prices up. People can still come here and get a coffee and a decent meal for under $20.”

Cap’n Joe Cafe, 22-24 Colbee Court, Phillip. Call 0448 064959 or visit Cap’n Joe Cafe on Facebook.

Helping families build dream homes

Arkitex is a family-run architecture firm that Massimo D’Ambrosio, son of the director, Alessandro (Alex) D’Ambrosio, says takes particular joy in helping people design their dream homes.

Massimo, who holds a variety of responsibilities including drafting, planning, liaising with clients and making design changes, says designing and building a house is a significant process, and often holds a lot of sentimental value for clients.

“Building a house from start to finish, it’s a very big, monumental task and people spend years and years saving up to get that deposit to go to the bank,” he says.

“As an architect, you play a special part in their life, because you’re crafting this house for the family to prosper and grow in and to live in for the coming years or decades.”

Massimo says because Arkitex is a smaller, family business, they look at each client as more than a number, as can be the case with bigger corporations.

“It doesn’t matter how significant or how minute our involvement is, it all plays a role in our business and we value that customers come to us and put their faith in us,” he says.

“I like to think about it as when you pass on, as an architect, you leave a piece of yourself behind.”

Arkitex, Shop 5, 24 Torrens Place, Torrens. Call 0413 570599, email info@arkitex.com.au or search Arkitex on Facebook.

Generations of quality plumbing

Action Plumbing is a local, multi-generational family business that has been operating for 40 years, says director Simon Read, and includes wife Sally, who is the business manager, brother Daniel and his father Mark, who founded the business.

From the beginning, Simon says Action Plumbing has prioritised building trusted relationships, with the vast majority of work coming from loyal clients, some for more than 30 years.

“We are known for our commitment to personal and professional service, arriving on time and delivering quality plumbing solutions every time,” he says.

“Our honest approach to renovation and commercial and residential plumbing means we have built an impeccable reputation in the Canberra community for delivering quality services at the right price and in the right time frame.”

He says Action Plumbing offers the full range of plumbing services and start-to-finish bathroom renovations.

As a family business, Action Plumbing has strong values and priorities in communication, efficiency, respect and trust.

“Our commitment to quality means you get the best results. It has always been in our best interests to set our standard of work above the rest,” he says.

“This includes being responsive, communicating clearly, arriving on time and cleaning up after ourselves.

“We treat your home like our own, your time as valuable and we treat you like family. We understand cost is a major factor, so we provide transparency in all our quotes.

“We’re not out to trick or overcharge clients. Knowing a good plumber is like having a family GP, that’s why trust and respect in our client relationships are essential.”

Action Plumbing, call 0438 630508 or visit actionplumbing.net.au

Pat’s got more workwear than ever before

With more than 30 years of providing quality work clothes to the Canberra region and a team that’s backed with more than 90 years’ combined industry experience, Seears Workwear knows what working people are after, says owner Pat Seears, who runs the business with his son Shane.

Seears Workwear has its largest range of workwear stock ever – the biggest in the region, says Pat.

The store also has workwear for chefs, paramedics and firefighters, says Pat, who knows the needs of local businesses and supplies many Fyshwick businesses with their work uniforms.

Stocking work apparel such as high-vis workwear, jackets, jeans, shoes and hats, he says: “Everything is the best quality from the best manufacturers.”

Located on Barrier Street, he says their stock includes safety work boots, leather shoes and steel-toed canvas shoes, from brands such as Puma, Rockport and Dunlop.

Seears Workwear can also assist companies through their corporate uniform services, which provide customised embroidery services for promotional clothing and business uniforms.

Seears Workwear, 60 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 4111 or visit seearsworkwear.com.au

Get car-ready for summer road trips

Now the colder months are behind us, Car Service Canberra’s owner Jake Hickenbotham recommends drivers get in early to have their car serviced, especially the air conditioning.

“A lot of people aren’t thinking of servicing their car until the last minute and there’s a rush before they go away on holidays,” he says.

“Having regular services prevents mechanical problems that might arise with your vehicle. With our servicing, you can drive away on your holiday feeling safe and confident that your car is running efficiently.”

Together, Jake and his wife Monique own the Repco-authorised service centre that does new-car and logbook car servicing, light vehicle repairs, light vehicle diagnostics, commercial van and light truck services and NSW and ACT registration inspections.

Jake says they also offer automotive air-conditioning services.

Monique is in charge of the administration, bookings and front desk, and together with Jake, they say they’re providing excellent service, and reasonable prices.

Jake says customers have been very positive about the service they receive from Car Service Canberra.

“Communication and honesty is the biggest thing, we try to make it as simple as we can for clients,” he says.

Car Service Canberra, 7 Baillieu Court, Mitchell. Call 6241 3011 or visit carservicecanberra.com.au

Stepping confidently in to dance

Dancing in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking, but Dale Harris, owner of Dale’s Ballroom, says she can help even the most timid of dancers.

Dale is an expert in many styles of dance, including tango, foxtrot, quickstep, Viennese waltz, cha cha, samba, jive, rumba and paso doble, and has more than 25 years’ experience teaching dance.

Dale says dance classes are a great opportunity to keep children entertained, but are also perfect for adults looking to engage in a new social activity this winter.

The seven-week dance course for adults is open again, and Dale encourages anyone to come and learn, regardless of age or experience.

“We have people of all ages coming in for the classes,” she says, with adult classes on Wednesdays, starting at 7pm, and junior classes every Thursday from 5pm.

She says classes cover Latin, New Vogue and standard dances.

“It is also a great time to enrol in the medal classes, as competitions begin in November, allowing a solid semester to practise and prepare,” says Dale.

For those preparing for a wedding, or special event, Dale says private classes are also available.

“We do private classes by appointment and we can accommodate choreographing a dance for your own routine, to the music you have chosen,” she says.

Dale’s Ballroom Dancing, 6/38 Reed Street North, Greenway. Call 0407 066110 or visit dalesballroomdancing.com