River Cruz Cafe eyes off expansion

When businesswoman Nerida Spoor felt the need to come back to her hometown, she could not have imagined the success that would lead to her owning and running two busy cafes.

Nerida Spoor (left) is expanding her popular cafe business.

The owner of the riverside cafe, River Cruz, in Quay Street, has thanked her staff for the support that recently encouraged her to expand her business.

Nerida Spoor took over the River Cruz Cafe and Restaurant in 2020 after the devastating loss of her son triggered a desire to return to her home town of Bundaberg.

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When she returned she was offered the cafe, but initially declined due to already being committed to a busy Biolea bakery.
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However, after she was told more about the cafe’s location on the banks of the lazy Burnett River in the heart of Bundaberg, she changed her mind.

“At the time I didn’t want any more businesses because the bakery was so full-on,” Mrs Spoor said.

“Then when I was told where it was located, I went ‘I’d love that,’ because it’s outside, on the river, it’s a relaxing spot.”

The River Cruz Cafe. Photo: Max Fleet / NewsMail

After a tricky three years, Mrs Spoor emerged from the Covid crisis with a strong team.

When she was initially offered a second location at the Boylans Garden Centre, she had her doubts.

But, like three years earlier, once she saw the quiet and secluded garden cafe she knew it was the right move for her and the business.

In a few short weeks, Mrs Spoor and her team will welcome guests to The Secret Garden, where they will be greeted with the same “friendly service and great food” locals have come to know and love.

When asked about how the second cafe’s name came to be, Mrs Spoor said her head chef Luke McKendry had jokingly pitched it to her.

When she made her way around the garden centre, to find the cafe tucked away among the greenery, with a gently trickling water feature and vibrant flower,s she knew the name would stick.

Mrs Spoor hopes to welcome her first guests to The Secret Garden on Saturday, July 1.

Opening hours will be Wednesday to Sunday, 8am to 4pm.