Coffee, ice baths and sweet treats: The southern Adelaide businesses leaving their mark
These entrepreneurs are creating a buzz down south, making the southern suburbs a new business mecca for the state - and one for your must-visit list.
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It’s hard not to fall in love with Adelaide’s southern suburbs, from sweeping vineyards to pristine beaches – it’s one of the most picturesque spots in the state.
Local government areas like Marion and Onkaparinga looking to expand with further housing developments, comes further amenities and places for their residents to go.
And with more people comes opportunity – an opportunity noticed by some of the biggest investors in the country.
Ross Pelligra, from Pelligra Group, has made major investments into part of the southern suburbs, committing $20m for an ice-skating rink.
These are the southern businesses leaving their mark.
Plunge Recovery
250 Brighton Rd, Somerton Park
They say health is wealth but for the team at Plunge Recovery, it’s their mission.
General manager Ben Keir said there was a notable gap in the market in athlete recovery specialist centres, so it was clear Adelaide needed to get on board.
“After travelling interstate and seeing these recovery facilities, it became clear that it’s not just for athletes, they can be for any person shape or size,” Mr Keir said.
“A lot of customers have said, the mental clarity that this has given them is better than any counselling session they’ve ever had.”
After research the market, the owner of Plunge, Steve Pavic, began to conjure up Adelaide’s very own recovery facility.
Today, the Brighton Rd complex boasts a number of recovery pools, compression options as well as saunas.
“Studies have shown the sauna can put 10 years on your life if you do our 90-minute infra-red sauna a week,” Mr Keir said.
“Our hot and cold baths, we have found help people who suffer anxiety be able to get control of their breathing because it in a way mimics a panic attack and they can use those tools to remember how they get through being in the bath.
“We’ve had people from the army come in with PTSD and they have found our pools super helpful in the way that the abrupt temperatures aid them in pushing through mental barriers.
“We really want this to be a place for everyone to enjoy.”
Bobby’s
Unit 3/43A Addison Rd, Warradale
In a little over three months, Bobby’s has become a cult favourite for the Warradale community.
Boasting a minimalistic interior accompanied by a perfect warm cup of joe every single time, the quaint coffee shop welcomes all.
Established by Jack and Caitlin Sutton, Bobby’s was named after their French bulldog.
While the menu is also minimal with just a selection of pastries, bagels, and brioche, it’s a nice change from the hustle a bustle of similar coffee spots down Jetty Rd and surrounds.
Tattoo Me Cooler
The seltzer train doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon and as we say goodbye to the winter woollies and hello to the balmy days, many of us are gunning to get out the house and down the pub.
In saying that, nothing tastes better than a home grown drop (Coopers, Penfolds) but a McLaren Vale Seltzer could soon be in the running.
Charlie O’Brien – son of Kangarilla Rd owners, Kevin & Helen O’Brien – gone on to launch his own winery, Silent Noise Wines, in McLaren Vale, and now his own seltzer brand, Tattoo Me Cooler.
Currently stocking a pear and lychee as well as a mandarin and tuzu flavour, we doubt this will be the last you hear of this company.
Hey Bianca Pizza
532D Brighton Rd, Brighton
You’re right, this place doesn’t need any introduction.
You may have seen their ultra cool van getting around Adelaide’s metro areas delivering a hot fresh pizza.
But when they were faced with saying goodbye to their southern roots, Bianca Pizzas decided to that the party was not over yet and opened a bigger and better shop in Brighton.
Now you can eat pizza to your heart’s content.
Cheffy Chelby’s
220 Brodie Rd, Morphett Vale
After opening the first Cheffy Chelby’s in 2020 in Port Noarlunga, owner Michelle Lowe was clear that a second store needed to follow.
The Morphett Vale store has been open for almost a month now and is a space for all walks of life to come, relax and enjoy a tasty treat.
Boy and Bloom
Cliff Ave, Port Noarlunga South
This Noarlunga cafe perfectly encapsulates all things south. From a stocked menu (even for beloved four-legged friends) to a short walk to the sandy beaches, Boy and Bloom has to become a regular in your brunching list.
The cafe even made it into our top spots to take your dog on a day out.
Michael Morphett, owner of Boy and Bloom said the opportunity was too good to resist.
“We started our cafe in the city and we found that not many people were bringing their dogs along,” he said.
“When we got the opportunity to open the cafe in a coastal location, we just had an image of having as many dogs out the front as people.”
Just Gluten Free Bakery
26 Daws Rd, Ascot Park
Coeliacs and gluten free gourmets can rejoice and enjoy all their favourite treats with a new dedicated gluten-free bakery in Daw Park.
Adelaide’s Sabine de Vuono is the founder of Just Gluten Free Bakery and opened the store in April.
With over a decade of gluten-free baking, Sabine’s popular stall at Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market sees long lines of loyal customers snapping up treats fresh from the oven every Sunday.
All the classic are available so whether you want gluten-free loaves, pies, pasties, sausage rolls, or even vanilla slices and lamingtons, give the team at Just Gluten Free Bakery a go.
The Original Pancake Kitchen
287 Diagonal Rd, Oaklands Park
The Original Pancake Kitchen will open its fifth kitchen at the Marion Cultural Centre in time for the school holidays, adding to the eatery’s 57-year history.
Original Pancake Kitchen proprietor Mark Sandgren said opening a venue in the centre was an amazing opportunity for Marion.
“PKs is a well-respected, South Australian-owned family business with a solid standing with the community,” he said.
“Many would have much-cherished memories from visiting the Original Pancake Kitchen, either in the city at Gilbert Place and our Smokehouse in Hindley Street and we want to continue the memories in the City of Marion.”
The company will start moving into its new home in late September, hosting a grand opening on Friday, September 30.
Marino Rocks Social
1 Marine Parade, Marino
Nestled in the corner of Marino for decades, The Marino Rocks Social, formerly the Marino Rocks Cafe has brought life back into the quaint community.
The cafe was bought for $1.7m earlier this years, making in a co-op, for the community, by the community.
Board member Kayne Ensten said it was a remarkable achievement for all involved.
“It was a huge process but it’s been remarkable,” Mr Ensten said.
“It is a destination and we really look forward to working with the community and giving them somewhere to catch up.”
So whether you’re about to set off along the cove boardwalk or want somewhere to catch up for a cuppa this is a place to be.
Little Love Boutique
Shop 42, Hallett Cove Shopping Centre
Little Love Boutique is a South Australian women’s fashion boutique.
They enjoy keeping their local and online customers informed about the current trends that are sweeping Australia.
They carry a wide range of Australian labels, including Bagira, Mink Pink, Staple The Label, Status Anxiety, Jaase, and many others.
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