IDK Coffee targets Douglas residents starved for coffee and food options
Throwing a much-needed caffeinated lifeline to residents in the area, IDK Coffee is another business reviving the fortunes of a once-struggling shopping centre.
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Throwing a much-needed caffeinated lifeline to Douglas residents and visitors, IDK Coffee is another business reviving the fortunes of the Riverview Marketplace.
The shopping centre had struggled to attract tenants in recent years since anchor tenant IGA’s exit in 2021 but IDK Coffee, alongside women’s gym Peach Pit Townsville, a tobacconist, and a tattoo parlour are a new generation of businesses activating the precinct in recent months.
Supported by her partner Joshua Cullinan, former-Tully resident and IDK Coffee owner Brooke Bell launched her new business on November 4.
Capitalising on a cafe-sized gap in the suburb, the hospitality veteran has won the support of locals who are flocking to purchase a range of coffees, sweets, snacks and savoury items.
“(Our opening) was fantastic. We didn’t really advertise much for our first open day and wanted to keep it quiet and kind of try and breeze through … but word got out and it got quite busy, quite quickly,” Ms Bell said.
“I think we had just over 80 customers (in five hours) … we weren’t really expecting that much.”
“We’ve had so many people, pretty much all locals from the area, say they’re just glad they don’t have to get in their car and travel to get their morning coffee or something for lunch – they can just pop in and grab it.”
Only trading on week days due to staffing restraints, Ms Bell hoped to eventually open on Saturday mornings to meet the strong public demand.
“Our main focus is putting out really good coffee among other drinks as well like smoothies, juices, frapes, all that good stuff,” she said.
“Then on top of that, we do have our cabinet food … which comes from Three Loaves Bakery, which is baked fresh everyday.
“We’ve got like a few cakes and treats in there and some really good Turkish rolls.”
Ms Bell said their most popular items were their toasties, iced lattes, and Biscoff Long Johns – a long cream-filled doughnut drizzled with Biscoff sauce.
“We do hope to expand it to a few more grab-and-go options like fresh sandwiches and wraps,” she said.
Taking months to find the ideal property, Ms Bell “kept coming back” to the riverview listing before contacting Colliers commercial leasing executive Reagan Stokly to sign a three-year lease.
Mr Stokely said IDK was ideal for the space, capturing the active foot traffic of daily walkers and weekend warriors.
“The space itself needed minimal work to get up and running with all of the infrastructure in the building,” Mr Stokley said.
“Between this shop and some of the other leases that we have done recently creates a great vibe in the centre and we are keen to get some more deals done to complete the complex for the local community.”
For more information, visit: www.instagram.com/idk.coffeetsv
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Originally published as IDK Coffee targets Douglas residents starved for coffee and food options
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