About Us
The Story of Found
Found began as a conversation in a little coffee shop housed in an old church many years ago while the Bookers were travelling around Australia in their vintage caravan. With coffee in hand and toddlers afoot, Ryan and Adriel found themselves talking and dreaming about reimagining everyday spaces (in this case, a church) and creating a place for community to gather—outside the walls of a church, school, sports club, or workplace. It felt like a ‘someday’ dream—something they held close, but did not yet pursue.
During the pandemic years, the Bookers had to make many changes to the youth-focused non-profit they were leading in inner-city Sydney. As they noticed folks struggling more and more with isolation, they began spending their time preparing meals for young people seeking connection. These years reinforced their love of hospitality and their belief that the best of life often happens around the table.
Around this time they also started refurbishing vintage furniture to stage and sell online. Not only did this 'side gig' help supplement their income, which was impacted by the pandemic, but it also suited Adriel's love of all things vintage and home styling and Ryan's love of being in the workshop.
In 2022, the Bookers moved to South Australia to establish their family with a more affordable and sustainable lifestyle in Victor Harbor and to live near long time family friends. By 2024, they were ready to take the leap and pursue their long-held dream of opening Found. After almost a year searching for the right property to lease, they got the keys to 10 Railway Terrace in December 2024 and began renovating, building, and making the space beautiful.
Found opened to the public in April 2025.
The Dream
for Found
Our vision is to offer a place of community and creativity that’s anchored by a vibrant, sustainable café in the heart of Victor Harbor.
To embody generous hospitality, warm welcome, ordinary goodness, and simple beauty as a way to care for those who join us.
To foster space for writers and other creatives, microbusiness owners, and solopreneurs to thrive while they work alongside one another in community.
To help facilitate the circular economy through our library and other swap events, collaborations and partnerships with local makers and businesses, and through the sale of vintage goods.
To celebrate family, friendship, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and the sort of quiet kindness that builds stronger communities.
Values
Our core values centre around community, creativity, and sustainability. Every detail you see at Found (and everything you can feel but can't quite put your finger on) is based in our values.
In addition to our core values, our team values are generosity, welcome, excellence, and grace. We hope you feel these from our team every time you walk in the door.
Meet the Owners
Adriel + Ryan Booker
Together the Bookers bring a background of not-for-profit community work and youth development, as well as publishing (Adriel) and pastoring (Ryan). They believe the best things in the world happen around The Table.
Adriel (Creative Director + Business Manager + Retail)
Adriel is a writer, reader, and curator of beautiful things; she loves an early morning dip in Horseshoe Bay and a rummage around a country town op shop. She enjoys live music, exploring big cities, styling homes, and traveling overseas with a camera in hand. Adriel grew up in Oregon, USA and moved to Australia as a young adult in 2001.
Ryan (Head Barista + Cafe Manager + Furniture Refurbs)
Ryan is a natural coach, a whiz on the tools, and makes the best handcrafted pizzas you’ve ever tasted. His favourite day off might be visiting a near-by winery with Adriel, then throwing the footy with his boys at the beach, followed by a game of NRL while holding his breath for the Cronulla Sharks to score the winning goal. Ryan grew up in the Sutherland Shire, Sydney.