We are a small neighbourhood shop that has been part of the southern suburbs for years. Our shelves follow the local harvest, our orders are packed by hand, and our regulars know us by name. This page is about who we are and how the shop came to be.
The shop started with a simple observation: people wanted good produce without the fuss. Over the years, that idea shaped every decision, from the crates out front to the delivery route that now runs three afternoons a week.
2011
Before the shop existed, there was a folding table and a few wooden crates at the local farmers market. The range was small, mostly oranges and leafy greens from two growers, but the habit of talking to customers about what was ripe started there. That conversation became the foundation of how the store still works today.
2014
The stall regulars kept asking where they could find the same produce during the week, so the search began for a permanent space. The current location was chosen for one reason: it sat between a school and a retirement village, which meant the shop could serve two groups with very different needs. The counter for fresh-cut fruit bowls and sandwiches came later, once the morning school rush made it obvious that families needed something quick.
2017
A few elderly customers mentioned that getting to the shop was becoming difficult, especially in winter. Rather than setting up an online system, the store kept it simple: a phone call, a short list, and a driver who knew the neighbourhood. The route started with six regular orders and grew by word of mouth. Busy families began calling ahead too, and the service now runs on set days so the produce is packed the same morning it arrives.
2021
As the customer base grew, so did the need for reliable supply. The shop formalised agreements with three farms within a short drive, which meant the stock could follow the harvest more closely. Shoppers started asking what arrived that morning, and staff began writing the day's deliveries on the chalkboard by the door. It was a small change, but it made the connection between the farm and the shelf visible to everyone who walked in.
Today
The range is still shaped by what is in season rather than what looks impressive on a shelf. The delivery list has grown to include pantry staples and dairy alongside produce, and the counter still serves fruit bowls during school hours. What has not changed is the habit of asking customers what they are planning to cook and pointing them to something that is actually ready to eat that day.
Who we are
Caulfield Grocer started with a simple idea: a grocery store should reflect the season and the people it serves. We stock fruit and vegetables sourced from nearby markets, keep the shelves practical, and make sure there is always something for dinner. No fuss, no gimmicks, just food that arrived fresh and a counter where you can ask what came in this morning.
We work for the families who need a quick weeknight meal, the elderly customers who rely on our phone-order delivery, and the local growers whose produce deserves a straightforward place on the shelf. If you come in for a bag of oranges, chances are you will leave with dinner sorted.
Our shelves change with the local harvest. When the citrus comes in, we stock more oranges and lemons. When the leafy greens are at their best, they take the front spot. We do not chase trends or fill the store with things nobody asked for. The point is to keep shopping simple and honest.