Featuring both Motorbikes and baked goods, Caffeine n Machine breaks the mould on what a bakery can be. With a museum of vintage bikes, and fresh bread luring in loyal customers, this bakery has created an impact on the local community of small Victorian town, Rutherglen.

Opening in 2020, Caffeine n Machine had strong aspirations with the bakery, wanting to deliver something new to the industry. Co-owner Nick Hawtin shared the creation of the unique café was a joint effort by himself, a lover and long-time collector of bikes, and his wife Megan—the other co-owner—who holds a great passion for food due to her Italian heritage. Together, a collision of food and motorbikes were inevitable.
Nick is no stranger to the baking industry, having worked for years as a baker repair man.
“I’ve worked for around 25 years for big companies like Moffat and Vanrooy and all those companies, and one of the service agents—he’s a good friend of mine—he said, ‘Well, why don’t you put the original bakery back in the hometown?’,” Nick said.

Some of the bakery range at Caffeine n Machine

Going back to the start

Rutherglen’s original bakery had been bought out and subsequently shut down after finding no success. The closing provided a new beginning for the couple, as Nick felt inspired to open a bakery and had the desire to create a space for his community.
Where other bakeries are focused on intricate pastries and complex cakes, Caffeine n Machine goes right back to basics with fresh bread loaves, simple but tasty toasties, and savoury meat pies.
Nick and Megan wanted to focus on simple traditional baked goods, while still offering something new to their customers.
“We wanted to create a destination and an experience for people,” Nick said.
“They say customer service no longer exists. They call it now a customer experience.”
Customers are welcomed to explore the museum of motorbikes. The collection was created through years of cultivation dating back before Caffeine n Machine. Nick and Megan said they have found the museum adds a touch of excitement and always allow free entry.
“It’s this secret door people walk through, and it just gives this whole new experience,” Nick said.
Maintaining the vehicular theme, the bakery is set within a brick-walled rustic atmosphere with motorbikes on display the moment you walk in. Industrialist light fixtures hang from the ceiling as customers are welcomed in.
Although the bakery continues to flourish with strong backing support from the community, it is from their challenges they have grown stronger.

The museum onsite at Caffeine n Machine is a big drawcard

Embracing the community

Soon after the opening of the bakery, COVID-19 shut down a majority of businesses in the regional town. Caffeine n Machine leant on the guidance provided by Tony Smith, who served as a speaker of the Australian House of Representatives at the time. The former local politician advised businesses on their operations to ensure essentials were still available, like bread during the pandemic.
“We essentially became a takeaway shop. It was great, the whole community rallied behind us. It was beautiful really.” Nick said.
After the pandemic ended, loyal customers returned to the bakery seeking their fresh delights and delicious coffee.
“We’re very strong for a good breakfast. We still do a breakfast menu all day. And, you know, they come, and they sit in there and they just sort of soak it up and just really enjoy it,” Nick said.
“We’ve teamed up with a local roaster. We’re turning anywhere between 35kg to 40kg of coffee a week.”
The bakery is limited in range and focuses on key staples such as bread loaves, sourdough, doughnuts, scrolls, pies, and buns. Patrons can also enjoy the fresh bread in their toasties and focaccia steak sandwiches.
The pandemic wasn’t the only hardship faced by the bakery, as the town was overwhelmed with heavy rainstorms causing floods only three years ago.
“We had two-and-a-half inches of water through the building, but we managed to keep going, and, you know, cleaned up and fixed up, “Nick said.
Nick saw that he had been spared the worst of the damage, as his local community struggled to rebuild.
“I got together with a mate. We decided to run a car show, and we raised over $50,000 that year for the town to help the flood victims.”
The show is now held annually on the day following Easter. Last year on average, they had around 1000 entrants with motorbikes, trucks, and cars, and around 3000 people who attended.
“I think one of our greatest successes is teaming up with Gateway Health Australia, after the floods occurred. We opened the door for people who were suffering from severe mental illnesses,” Nick said.
Caffeine n Machine are dedicated donors to the charity, amassing approximately $20,000 to $30,000 over the years.

Staff at work

The bakery has become almost a sanctuary for people struggling, allowing them a safe space to breathe.
“People who are struggling come see us, or reach out via Instagram, who are local to the region,” Nick said.
“Last year, we received a little recognition plot from Gateway Health. Working with them and helping them to support our community, we saved seven lives that were high-risk.”
The bakery also runs a year-round fundraising scheme for the Black Dog Foundation, donating 50 cents of every pie to the organisation.
“Couple of times a year we donate anywhere between $500 and $1,000 and we just keep adding to it,” Nick said.
At the heart of Caffeine n Machine is community; whether it be staff or customers, the owners ensure all feel valued.

Team work makes the dream work

Customers can enjoy some of the cakes while checking out the bikes

Starting as a small business with only four employees, in the four years of business the staff has expanded to 22, and the bakery has become the largest employer on the main street.
Each staff member’s self-confidence and appreciation are important to Nick, as he always goes out of his way for them to know they are an important part of Caffeine n Machine. He mentions a story of a woman complimenting a pie, and was quick to bring out the baker so he could personally receive the praise.
Although awards aren’t their goal, they can appreciate how it allows the staff to feel good about themselves. This year Caffeine n Machine entered the Great Aussie Pie competition and brought home seven awards. Silver accolades were won for their black dog, chilli con carne, and silverside. Bronze was earned for their coconut chicken curry, plain, lamb and rosemary, and steak and Guinness.
“We call ourselves Team Caffeine. I want my staff to feel excited and like they’re part of something,” he said.
Nick is full of praise for his team.
“They are genuinely connected with our customers, and that means they know that they’re part of something. When people have emotions and empathy like that towards a business, they know their value. They know they’re part of it,” he said.
“Yes, we’re a bakery, but we’re hell of a lot more. We’re a community.”
Caffeine n Machine are currently in their fifth year of their lease. The property owner has offered Nick and Megan the opportunity to purchase the building when the lease is to be renewed.
The owner has another property and has discussed being open to Caffeine n Machine taking over the space. Nick plans to bring in a collection of classic cars and a rare vintage articulated bus; the motor vehicle display will double in size. The chance to expand was never in the books when they first started.
“When we started, we should have gone bankrupt, we should have lost everything. But we were true to our core of what we believed in,” he said.
“And when you’re true in your authentic self, people will believe it.”