Lumen People

"Lumen is a unit to measure light, and our whole philosophy is about celebrating the people around us. So Lumen People - a name that evokes warmth, light and connection - is the perfect name for our cafe.”

Lumen People is a labour of love for husband and wife team Marichi Clarke and Emma Sheahan.

Their vision is crystal clear: to cultivate a sense of community, to provide a haven where people come together to enjoy the best coffee, wine, and food, and to celebrate the passionate local producers who make it all possible.

Their journey began in Sydney, where they crossed paths while working in the hospitality industry - Emma travelling from Queensland, Marichi from Melbourne.

After their Sydney stint, they decided to settle in North Melbourne, a place they now called home. Then the idea of Lumen People started to take shape.

Marichi says, "People in North Melbourne want to feel welcome. They want to feel like they're a part of something greater. They want to connect with their community. And they're really proud of where they live.”
“So we wanted to bring a friendly local cafe offering something unique to our beloved neighbourhood,” Emma chimes in.

Their inspiration? The cosy bars of Hobart. "We wanted to create something that was small in footprint, with a very small, tight menu. Somewhere offering really grassroots hospitality,” smiles Marichi.

In February 2023 the couple took over the site of an existing cafe on Victoria Street and committed to creating their own intimate and authentic experience for patrons.

With their chef, Charlotte Vermeersch, on board, they’ve crafted a constantly changing menu that reflects the seasons and embraces the offerings of small-scale Victorian farms and hyper-local producers.

“Our North Melbourne suppliers include Bread Club for their bread and pastries and Small Batch for their chocolate. We’re also proud to partner with the small farm Dog Creek Growers - Nagesh, from Manze around the corner, was the one who introduced us to them. Their produce is extraordinary.” explains Marichi.

Lumen People have recently branched out into evening service on Wednesdays to Sundays, with Marichi at the helm.

“In the evening we have a wholly different menu. We wanted to offer a variety of small plates so that customers can curate their own snack-based dinner, paired with a few glasses of wine,” says Marichi. “There wasn’t anywhere else in North Melbourne that offered that sort of light and easy experience, so we thought we’d create it ourselves. Our guests have been loving it!”

Clearly, Lumen People is more than just a place to sip coffee. It is a reflection of Emma and Marichi’s values, their unwavering commitment to quality, and where the community is at the heart of it all.

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio