Food is Cindy Nguyen’s ultimate love language.
Growing up in a Vietnamese family, everything was centred around food, with plates filling the table at family events, food bought everyone together. Now Cindy is bringing that same energy to Fort Largs, along the coast near Port Adelaide, in the form of “a corner deli reimagined.”
“Growing up, my sisters and I would walk to the local corner deli with the exact change Mum gave us,” she said. “The owners knew us and would sometimes sneak in a little lolly.”
It was that familiar feeling of being known, and having a place to gather in the neighbourhood, that left a lasting impression on Cindy. One day, she decided, she would create that feeling herself.
Although the new venue isn’t actually on a corner, it carries the same spirit.
“I don’t want it overcrowded,” Cindy said. “I want space for smaller makers, people who might not have big marketing budgets but create beautiful, honest products.”
The old corner deli’s may have stocked anything and everything but Providore 1885 is offering an intentional menu, with a massive focus on local produce. The venue will have a curated selection of grazing boards, from cheese-focused, charcuterie-focused, seafood options, and even eventually flow into customisable.
“I want food to feel like a playground of flavour and texture, a space where people can mix, match, share and discover combinations together.”
Think chilli oils, olives, cheeses, crackers and fresh breads – pretty much everything you’d want on a grazing plate.
On one side you’ll find the deli display with charcuterie, cheeses and grazing items to take your pick from. On the other side is coffee and the counter, all locally sourced, alongside hand-selected South Australian artisan products.
Fort Largs is not a long road trip away, 30 minutes from the CBD and you’re there, with ocean breeze and a large courtyard the trip is just part of the journey. It’s a historical location, one that holds many years of memories from its time as a police academy.
Cindy is hoping the atmosphere will be calming, welcoming and homely – a place where people can just stop for a minute (hopefully more) and slow down.
“We don’t live in a huge city, but life still feels rushed,” Cindy said. “I want this to be the opposite of that.”
“A space where you can truly unwind, taste your food, listen properly to the person you’re with, and connect.”
“Life is about connection, right? That’s what brings us joy deep down inside.”
Providore 1885 will have a soft opening in late March, to early April and when you take the trip out, give yourself time to stop and slow down.
Providore 1885
When: Opening late March
Where: Historic Fort Largs, 5 Strathfield Tce, Taperoo SA 5017
For their website, click here.
