Coolstore Harcourt Destroyed by Fire
Bonnie & Remy's Bushfire Relief
The bushfires that swept through Harcourt on 9 January took with them Coolstore—the beautiful space Bonnie and Remy Sowman opened in August 2024.
Coolstore was more than a cafe; it was a reflection of Bonnie and Remy’s passion for exceptional coffee, hospitality, and bringing people together.
Bonnie and Remy are truly community-minded. Whether it’s Remy running the Primary School Fundraiser BBQ where their three children, Finnly, Leni, and Miida, attend, or Bonnie’s commitment to local events like Castlemaine Festival and the Victorian Miniature Railway. They support local business, are part of countless local initiatives and always first to step forward for others. A fitting tribute, they were recently named the King and Queen of Harcourt—a title they accepted with their signature humility and good humour.
Less than 24 hours after losing their own livelihood, while still processing the destruction of Coolstore, Bonnie and Remy were already sourcing a site to help others. By the following day, they had established a community hub at the VMR, providing food, charging stations, and essentials for those who had lost their homes or simply needed a space to connect. Even in the face of their own significant loss, their first instinct was to ensure no one else was left behind.
Remy is now Lead Coordinator of the recovery team.
How You Can Help
Please donate to help Bonnie, Remy, and their children as they face the sudden loss of their livelihood and income. While their business is gone, the reality of ongoing bills and family expenses remains.
Organised by Bonnie’s sister, Anna, and their long-time friend Rilla, (who knows the pair from their days as owners of Fox in the Chamber in Woodend), this fund is designed to provide the family with immediate financial security. We want to give them the breathing room to provide for the family, process their loss and hopefully a small nest egg to contribute to begin building their next chapter, whatever that may be.
If you are unable to contribute financially, please share this page with your network and leave a message of support for Bonnie and Remy below.
Thank you!