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The Interview—Austin of Boxing Day Café

hudco coffee

by | Oct 6, 2024

If you’ve visited us over the past few weeks, you may have been welcomed to the space by a fresh new face behind the bar. We’re excited to announce this fantastic addition to our community—Austin Furnas from the newly launched Boxing Day Café, a craft coffee pop-up bringing some Australian flavor to your workdays.

Located front and center at HudCo, Austin is energizing our community with a passion for high quality brews and a commitment to sustainability. While he is no stranger to the Rivertowns (given his years at the Good Witch and Bread & Brine in Hastings), we thought we would grant Austin a worthy introduction through his own words.

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hudco cafe

To lead off, could you give us a quick background about yourself–where are you from and how did you land in the Rivertowns?

I’ve lived in the Rivertowns for 12 years, mostly in Hastings-on-Hudson. I found the area from some fellow Australian expats who lived in Dobbs Ferry when I made the move from Australia. I just absolutely fell in love with the area and its proximity to the city.

What are some of your favorite pastimes and hobbies?

I’ve become really into fitness in recent years. You’ll often find me running on the (Old Croton) Aqueduct trail or biking on the South County Trail. Find me on Strava!

Do you have any favorite hidden treasures in the Rivertowns?

For some peace and quiet, the Quarry Park off the aqueduct in Hastings. Also, the Tarrytown RiverWalk, it connects at Lyndhurst and has the best views of the Tapp.

Tarrytown RiverWalk. Photograph by Jeff Mertz

What do you admire the most about café culture?

Growing up in Australia, I was really blessed with having a strong café culture be a part of my upbringing. I love the community building that happens at cafés and the third place quality it can create.

Tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind branding your shop as the Boxing Day Café. Is there a special meaning behind that?

Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, mostly celebrated by Commonwealth countries like Australia, Canada, and England. When I was deciding on what I wanted my café to be named, I felt that Boxing Day had lots of meaning for what I wanted my café to be: an extra day off, a place to treat yourself and be with friends.

What is your dream role within the coffee industry? What would be the aesthetic for a cafe if you were to open one?

To be a small business owner and open an Australian-style breakfast café in the Rivertowns. Some inspirational cafés in the city to check out would be Merriweather, Two Hands, Banter, Hole in the Wall, and Ruby’s.

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Be sure to stop by the front café this week—Monday through Thursday, 10/7-10/10, between 9am and 3pm—where Austin will greet you with a warm (or iced) welcome.

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