When Martyn and Pauline Poytress created the motorcycle café and clothing shop Schmokin' a year ago, they did not anticipate how much it would grow.
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The store on Market Place in the heart of Berrima celebrated its first birthday earlier this month.
"We wanted to create a place for like-minded people, and they have been coming in by the bucket-load," Mr Poytress said.
Mr and Mrs Poytress relocated from the Sutherland Shire to Berrima last year at the height of the pandemic for a change in scenery.
Mr Poytress has been riding motorcycles for over 40 years and often rode in the Highlands.
"I wanted to create somewhere I wanted to go," he said.
Since its opening, Schmokin' has gone from strength to strength.
It started with a motorcycle café and clothing store and has expanded to include a motorcycle workshop.
Mr Poytress admitted that the workshop was not an initial idea, but something that "just evolved."
"We had unfinished bikes in the shed and thought why not bring them here?" he said.
The workshop enables motorcycle enthusiasts to come together weekly for a coffee, and the opportunity to refurbish bikes to sell.
It then became a catalyst for customers to start having important conversations surrounding mental health.
"Having a bike in here, the conversation turned into one about men's wellness," Mrs Poytress said.
"It was a big instigator."
Mrs Poytress said some customers even opened up about PTSD in the workshop.
The profits made are then re-invested back into the workshop to allow members to continue to refurbish motorcycles, whilst connecting with others.
Moss Vale resident Stuart Garrard has been coming to Schmokin' and the workshops since they opened.
"They have been a real magnet for motorcycle enthusiasts," he said.
"Schmokin' was a great place to visit from the start," said Bowral resident Robin Genero.
"We love to get our hands dirty.
"They made it so easy to come to, and we were keen to support it."
Schmokin' was also able to broadcast its camaraderie to the masses with an appearance on Weekend Sunrise.
The broadcast was in celebration of Berrima's victory in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards.
Motorcyclists across the state came together in support of the live-cross.
Mr Poytress said he has loved every moment, but if he had to choose what he enjoyed most, it would be the "beautiful people."
"We wake up every morning excited for work," he said.
People can learn more about Schmokin' online.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
