MAD x 1816 Brings a Fresh Offering to Barkly Street With Council Grant Support
Ararat Rural City Council is pleased to announce MAD x 1816 as the latest recipient of a $2,500 Kickstarter grant, supporting the newly opened café at 120 Barkly Street, Ararat.
Owned by Michael Combs and Adam Haddow, MAD x 1816 brings together coffee, thoughtfully designed interiors, and baked goods from Ballarat’s 1816 bakery. From breads to pastries, the café adds a delicious new offering to central Ararat.
One of the proprietors, Michael Combs, said of the grant, “The grant has meant we were able to step up the finishing touches to the space. Council has been proactive and realistic so we could open when we planned to. We’ve now found our customers, and our rhythm, for the bakery café.”
The owners have brought a distinctive architectural approach to the space, creating a stylish fitout that gives customers another reason to stop and spend time in Barkly Street.
Ararat Rural City Council Mayor Cr Bob Sanders congratulated Michael and Adam on the opening. “Opening a business takes considerable planning, effort, and confidence, and it is lovely to see Michael and Adam bring their ideas to life in Ararat,” Cr Sanders said. “They have created a carefully considered space with something different to offer, and we are pleased to support them through our Kickstarter grant program.”
Nearby, Tracey Thomson of Track Home Loans was also a recent Kickstarter grant recipient, adding to the range of businesses establishing themselves in Barkly Street.
Council awarded $56,610 through its Façade Improvement and Kickstarter grant programs in the last financial year, supporting new, expanding or relocating businesses across the municipality. Recipients included the Elmhurst Hotel, Western Vic Vets, The Lolly Shop, Tech Depot, Ararat Denture Clinic, and Watts Accounting.
Further projects are in the pipeline, with a number expected to be completed by the end of the year. Council has also been in active discussions with central Ararat businesses about improvements ranging from fresh paintwork to new façades.
Cr Sanders said the programs provided practical support for business owners investing in their premises and the region. “Each business brings its own ideas and experience, whether it is opening a new café, establishing a professional service, or improving an existing shopfront,” he said. “Our role is to help business owners take that next step. These grants support individual businesses while also making our shopping areas more welcoming for residents and visitors.
“We look forward to seeing more of these projects completed in the coming months.”
