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Wodonga eatery La Maison Cafe’s new private dining room at the back of the premises on the Lincoln Causeway was built almost four decades ago amid unusual circumstances.
Wodonga man Peter Byrne built the cottage from bluestone recycled from the former Wodonga saleyards despite a building ban on the project.
“I needed a place to live and there were tiger snakes everywhere down there at that time,” Mr Byrne said.
The building subsequently gained a permit and is now owned by the City of Wodonga.
La Maison Cafe’s owner/operator Wassim Saliba said the cottage represented part of Mr Byrne’s bold vision for the precinct.
Having operated the Lebanese-style eatery La Maison Cafe for nine years, Saliba said he wanted to add another option to the dining spaces he already leased on site.
“We stripped the cottage building back to its original status and replaced the electrical wiring and lighting,” he said.
“We wanted it to be quirky without being too modern.”
Saliba’s friend from Brocklesby, Boldizar Boglari, helped with the design details such as the timber ladders suspended from the cottage’s roof, which support rope lighting strung over the dining table.
Among other design highlights are outside lighting attached to high-gloss, black painted rabbit traps.
Saliba said the 32-seat room was officially opened for functions in March though they hosted a private Valentine’s Day event in February as a trial.
“We can seat 32 comfortably for a meal but we have had about 40 in the space for finger food,” he said.
La Maison Cafe has appointed an events coordinator Samantha Robinson.
It has catered for functions in the cafe, courtyard and under a marquee.
“We had been offering small to medium functions but we will now be able to go to the next level,” Saliba said.
“We can now cater for up to 100 formally.”