Last in our Confidence in Style series, but definitely not least, is Chadley Camp, owner and curator behind Little Homey Cafe. A small but mighty Melbourne cafe, tucked away in the backstreets, right in the heart of Brunswick.
You could easily miss it if you didn’t know it was there but once inside, Little Homey hits differently. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere quite like it in Melbourne, something Chad says was a big motivating factor for him from the start.
As a seasoned hospitality pro, and at crossroads, Chad took a leap of faith, following his heart and childhood ambitions of opening a cafe of his own, and whilst style and concepts changed over the years, ultimately he wanted a space that was authentic to his upbringing, a space to host friends, family, and community.
For him, that meant creating something that didn’t really exist around him, a place that celebrates and highlights black cultures, day to day, not just reserved for certain moments. By 2024, that idea became Little Homey.
The vibe inside is unassuming and cosy. You walk in and feel like you’re in someone’s living room. Familiar, relaxed and full of people who seem to know each other. The walls are lined with records and pieces of art that reflect his own influences,, many of which were part of his home growing up. Everything on the menu is shaped by what serves the community, from African-inspired drinks to thoughtful, everyday offerings.
Little Homey has naturally grown into a community hub in Brunswick. Out the back sits Honey Bones, a gallery space where Chad hosts events that are intentional and rooted in diaspora identity. From Sewing With The Homies - a men’s workshop focused on skill-building and connection, to book clubs, screenings, table tennis and seasonal markets. It’s a space that continues to evolve with the people in it, ultimately designed to get the community out of their living rooms and into his.
Chads’ energy is calm and grounded. He carries himself with ease. As for personal style, what appears so effortless, is actually considered and perfectly put together, influenced by the things he’s drawn to, from music to culture, with a clear nod to icons like André 3000.
“I’m like the daggy-cool ‘90s uncle… that’s my style,” he says.
For him, style is about expressing your personality, feeling good, exploring, and letting yourself be inspired by the people and art around you.
“It's the people around me that make me feel most confident. The support, showing up, and guessing everything I do.”
He admits to not being a morning person, so his routine is simple - rolling out of bed, putting some music on, and riding his bike into the cafe. From there it’s straight into the day, usually starting with an oat latte - iced or hot, depending on the day.
We asked Chad what message he would give to his younger self or to his inner critic
“Just chill out, man. We're doing a good job.”
It’s what drew us to Chad for our Confidence in Style series, just backing yourself and creating something that feels true to you. - and you can feel it in everything he’s built at Little Homey.
If you’re in the neighbourhood, it's worth stopping by, and to hear more from Chad, head over to our madebyfressko_official for the full series.
Listen to Chad's curated playlist here
Our new Espresso range is available on the website now.
46 Trafford St, Brunswick VIC 3056