Culley's, Fremantle

Culley's, Fremantle is a family-owned bakery and café in Fremantle, Western Australia, describing itself as "Freo's oldest family owned and operated cafe and bakery." Its origins trace to the Culley's Tearooms, which began as one of Perth's first milk bars on Stirling Highway in Cottesloe. Founders Edward and Alice Culley wanted a larger premises, and on a train trip to Fremantle they met Mr and Mrs Abbot, who wished to sell their confectionery shop at 116 High Street, Fremantle. By the time the train reached the station an agreement had been reached, sealed with a handshake, beginning what the company describes as an almost 100-year association with Fremantle. The business has since been run across four generations: Dick and Ted took over from Edward and Alice; Darrell Culley and Bob Wegner continued the tradition; and today the business is in the hands of Michael Culley and Melissa Culley. The bakery and café is known for its award-winning pies, pasties, sausage rolls, daily baked breads and fresh filled sandwiches, as well as its signature Culley's Horseshoe Rolls. Its pies are made with a recipe passed down through the Culley's generations, using a gravy that has been a family secret for years, made with a special selection of spices and stock. The hand-made pastry is prepared daily with local ingredients, and the company says the pastry recipe has remained the same for generations. The venue, updated during the recent Atwell Arcade upgrade, retains a retro charm with milk bar and warm jarrah finishes and offers smooth table service. Beyond its café and retail operations, Culley's Bakery offers wholesale partnerships for its product range and is looking to expand, inviting venues that suit the brand to get in touch. Its product lines span savouries, pies and pasties; sweets, cakes and desserts; sandwiches, rolls and wraps; gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options; and a gourmet range. The business also sells Culley's merchandise, allowing customers to "take home a piece of history." Culley's remains a private, family-owned and operated enterprise with no stated plans to slow down.

Culley's began as the Culley's Tearooms, one of Perth's first milk bars, located on Stirling Highway in Cottesloe. Founders Edward and Alice Culley sought a larger premises. On a train trip to Fremantle, they met Mr and Mrs Abbot, who wanted to sell their confectionery shop at 116 High Street, Fremantle. By the time the train reached the station, an agreement had been reached, sealed with a handshake, beginning what the company describes as an almost 100-year association with Fremantle. The business has been run across four generations. Dick and Ted took over from Edward and Alice. Later, Darrell Culley and Bob Wegner continued the tradition. Today, the business is in the hands of Michael Culley and Melissa Culley. The company states its history spans over 95 years in business. The venue was updated during the recent Atwell Arcade upgrade, retaining retro charm with milk bar and warm jarrah finishes. The bakery and café remains dedicated to smooth table service and has no intentions of slowing down.

• 1925

  Culley's Tearooms begins trading; the company dates its founding to this year.

• Edward and Alice Culley acquire the Abbot confectionery shop at 116 High Street, Fremantle, via a handshake deal on a train.

• Dick and Ted take over the business from Edward and Alice.

• Darrell Culley and Bob Wegner continue the family tradition.

• Michael Culley and Melissa Culley take over the business, representing the fourth generation.

• Venue updated during the Atwell Arcade upgrade, retaining retro milk-bar charm.

Freo's oldest family owned and operated cafe and bakery, offering traditional, generational recipes and a retro milk-bar charm.

• Pies

  Award-winning pies made with a recipe passed down through generations and a secret family gravy.

• Pasties

  Award-winning pasties.

• Sausage rolls

  Award-winning sausage rolls.

• Culley's Horseshoe Rolls

  A signature product of the bakery.

• Breads

  Daily baked breads.

• Sandwiches

  Fresh filled sandwiches, rolls and wraps.

• Sweets, cakes & desserts

  Range of sweet baked goods.

• Gluten Free, Vegan & Vegetarian

  Dietary-specific options.

• Gourmet Range

  Premium product line.

1. 1Culley's Bakery and Cafe – Culley’s Serving Our Community Since 1925culleys.com.au
2. 2About – Culley's Bakery and Cafeculleys.com.au
3. 3Culley's, Fremantle - Wikidatawikidata.org