Food and hair a heady combination for entrepreneurs

Food and strands of hair in any combination would be an unappetising thought for most people, but it is the underpinning of a thriving cafe business model in Redfern.

Barista Harry Levy and hairdresser Patrick Casey merged their fields of expertise to open Cleveland's Salon and Cafe seven months ago and have experienced a surprising level of success.

"People getting their haircut get a complimentary coffee, but we can also serve them food from the cafe," said Mr Levy.

"Most of our customers come just for the food and coffee, but we earn more revenue from the hair salon side."

The cafe-salon business is part of the influx of hybrid stores in Sydney's thriving coffee culture. The editor of the latest Good Cafe Guide, Jill Dupleix, believes the economic downturn triggered business owners to diversify their offerings and predicts more "blended" shops will open.

"This generation are much happier collaborating than they are working independently. It really shakes up the old cafe model and allows each side of the business to feed into the other," Ms Dupleix said.

"It provides customers with a reason to stay a bit longer so they get closer to making a sale."

Andrew Paine travels from Maroubra to Cleveland's in Redfern every six weeks to get a trim and a free cappuccino, saying the kitchen nearby - separated by a thick glass wall - created a "great vibe".

"I think it's a natural fit. Having food works because getting a hair cut means you have to be here for a long time," the 30-year-old corporate analyst said.

At Suzie Q Coffee and Records in Surry Hills, patrons can thumb through vinyl records with one hand while holding a freshly brewed espresso in the other.

DJ Jordan Deck opened the cafe on an abandoned loading dock last November and has since built a loyal customer base. "Being a music-themed cafe is a point of difference and a business advantage in a competitive industry," he said. "There are no CDS, we're strictly records. We're a family here, a community brought together by good food and good music."

The idea of creating a hub for like-minded people also inspired cycling enthusiast Grahame Rowe to open Town Bike Pitstop in Darlington - which has one of the highest rates of bicycle ownership per capita in Australia.

As well as selling bicycles and accessories, the cafe also houses a bicycle maintenance room where four people at a time can fix broken pedals, adjust brake cables and replace tyres.

"Nearly everyone buys a coffee, about half our customers will eat, and a quarter will use the bike shop in some way," said Mr Rowe.

Other cafe hybrids include Armchair Collective in Mona Vale, which sells furniture, and About Life in Bondi, which sells organic produce.

The Good Cafe Guide is on sale for $9.99 at bookshops and online at smhshop.com.au from today.