Stones Corner cafe Lady Marmalade sells up

The cafe behind Brisbane’s best pancakes has been sold after seven years, with the new owners to ‘expand it to new heights’.

Award-winning Brisbane cafe Lady Marmalade has been sold.

The hugely popular eatery in Stones Corner, which has claimed numerous accolades including Brisbane’s best pancakes, has been bought by a South Australian hospitality group.

After a hellish two years for the hospitality industry fighting through the pandemic, owners Sonja and Howard Searle decided to put the cafe on the market after seven years in operation, receiving an offer just two days later.

Sonja and Howard Searle have sold their award-winning Stones Corner cafe Lady Marmalade. Picture: Brad Fleet

It will see Racy79 Pty Ltd, which own venues including House of Brews in Surfers Paradise, Blue Water Bar and Grill in Hope Island and Nonna’s in Biggera Waters and Chermside, take over operations, while keeping the same staff.

“We thought it may take a year or two to sell. It was such a shock we didn’t know what to do but because all the staff got to keep their jobs we thought it was a good idea,” said Mrs Searle.

“The management group will be able to implement an established infrastructure which will help to expand Lady Marmalade and grow to new heights.”

Inside Lady Marmalade cafe. Picture: Sarah Marshall

Mrs Searle said she didn’t know how much longer she would stay to help with the transition but was looking forward to a long and relaxing holiday and “adventures away from owning a hospitality venue”.

“Our fabulous team will continue to care for all those who visit Lady Marmalade, it is just Howard and I who are moving on, so it is business as usual for everyone else,” she said.