In the right place, at the right time, to follow East Cork café dream

MONTY’S is a backstreet café and sandwich bar in Midleton, popping with a pink and grey exterior and oozing with a friendly, elegant charm.

There are 20 or so plant pots arranged out the front and many were in bloom when I visited. I met with owner, Lisa O’Brien.

“The plants now are all my mam and dad,” said Lisa. “And the painting on the wall was my sister. So it’s a family affair!”

The retro pop art mural was done six-months into Lisa taking over the building, by her art teacher sister, and is still in beautiful condition.

Lisa took over Monty’s nearly nine years ago. Their decade anniversary is approaching.

I know sure, but you don’t feel it or dwell on it too much. The time flies by when you’re in it.

Lisa grew up just a short distance from where Monty’s is now. Her mother, Marian Wall, used to work in Johnny Barry’s bakery in Midleton and baking was a permanent fixture in her home growing up. Most Saturdays would be spent baking, helping her mom bake Queen cakes, Chester cakes, scones, and loaves of bread.

Upon finishing school, Lisa was unsure of what her next step would be, so she did a course in Travel and Tourism. This took her on adventures to different parts of Ireland. The work was seasonal so she and her friends took whatever jobs they could find in the off season, and even worked in a salmon smoking factory at one point.

Lisa wanted a change from that seasonal kind of work and had a natural leaning towards food.

“I always enjoyed food and kitchen-related jobs. I worked a few jobs around town, like SuperValu and Mace in the deli sections, and then found myself working in Monty’s. The place was actually open for two-and-a-half years before I took it over,” said Lisa.

“Well, the family who started Monty’s were flat out with it and they would have the kids and the parents in there and it all got a bit much, I think, but they were lovely people! And they just threw the question out there one day… would you like to take it over?”

Lisa knew that this was a huge decision.

I talked to my husband and my parents who were supportive and I just went for it! And I’ve never looked back!

She’s clearly thrived in this role as Monty’s has become a top mention for quality coffee and food, with Marian, Lisa’s mom, helping out with the baking still.

“You know, I’m biased, and I have Caroline as well who’s amazing and she deserves so much credit, but there’s still something about mom’s baking…”

When Lisa started, she had a small team with one downstairs and one upstairs. Now she has six staff on when it’s busy, and eight in total. Hearing about how local people start businesses and employ people from their community is always heart-warming.

“Why not change the name, Monty’s?” I asked.

“It was established, and they had all the online stuff, and all the equipment was inside, I just felt at the time that a rebranding wasn’t necessary, I was happy with it… and the more I think back, I often say to my husband, Billy... Talk about right place, right time.”

There’s something very humble and modest about Lisa, as she took credit away from her self and gave it to her staff. Although, she strikes me as a leader to her team.

For the critical coffee lovers, her café is top drawer, which isn’t easy to achieve.

“We use Stone Valley, and I must say this, John is like my knight in shining armour, he is so much help to me and to the girls inside if they have questions. He and Tom helped us get all our equipment sorted and they’re just amazing!”

She ran me through some of her local suppliers like Arbutus Bread, Rostellan Chocolate, Toonsbridge, and meats from the English Market. There is a local community and family feel to the business, with her daughter, Shauna, cranking out espresso shots when I visited.

I was given a little gander at their tiny prep kitchen upstairs also, packed with delicious bowls of diced foods for salads that change every day. For a small and compact space, Lisa has certainly made the best of it.

Her Instagram is where all their online activity occurs and if you want to know more you can find them @montyscafe.