Charitable new venture brewing on iconic Brisbane bridge

The new tenants of a popular coffee stop on Brisbane’s Goodwill Bridge have been revealed after the previous operators of the popular cafe lost their lease in February.

Supported employees Matthew Griffioen and Jay Nardi at the Goodwill Bridge’s new coffee cart, providing employment to people with disabilities. Photo: Steve Pohlner

A Queensland charity providing employment to people with disabilities has begun serving coffee on the middle of a Brisbane bridge after a beloved cafe lost its lease in February.

HELP Enterprises undertook a soft launch on the Goodwill Bridge this week, more than a month after Brendan Harris said goodbye to his passion project of nine years – Brendan’s Cafe on the Goodwill Bridge.

The not-for-profit has taken a relaxed approach to ease its team into its new venture Goodwill Brew Cafe – which will be operated by a barista, a supported employee, and their support worker on each shift.

Tess Fitzgerald, Jay Nardi, Denver Fresser (Group Chief Executive – Help Enterprises), Matthew Griffioen and Jared Easterbrook at HELP Enterprises’ new venture Goodwill Brew Cafe. Photo: Steve Pohlner

HELP Chief Executive Officer Denver Fresser said the first three weeks of trade would focus on training staff as they adjusted to a new environment.

The new cafe will officially launch on April 19.

“When experiencing change – even positive change that they choose – people with autism or intellectual disability can feel a range of emotions such as overwhelmed and physical exhaustion through to depression and anxiety,” Mr Fresser said.

“Often these feelings may result in outbursts of sadness or anger.

“By having a soft launch for the Goodwill Brew and allowing time for a slow and steady adjustment period, we can better prepare our staff with autism or intellectual disability for a new experience, and make it feel less overwhelming for them.”

Supported employees Jay Nardi and Matthew Griffioen at the Goodwill Brew Cafe. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Local social enterprises were called to tender for the space which the Queensland Government Accommodation Office touted as a fantastic opportunity to deliver social outcomes to the community.

The State Government notified HELP that it was the preferred tenderer for the lease in late 2021, before confirming the opening of the new kiosk this week.

The not-for-profit requirement of the tender meant Mr Harris lost out in a lease renewal for his renowned riverside location.

After battling to keep business alive through the pandemic, Mr Harris said it was a rough blow to part with about 1500 returning customers, hundreds of which he knew the coffee orders for.

While he was heartbroken to lose the landmark location, he wished HELP well.

“It’s an incredible organisation,” Mr Harris said.

“You could do so many things with that area and my hope is they find their own identity on the bridge and make that shine.”

Brendan Harris’ last hurrah at his Cafe on the Goodwill Bridge. Pic: Annette Dew

Mr Harris said his new downtime meant his family had been able to enjoy more social engagements over the past month.

They’re also in conversations about opportunities to continue trading at another location.

HELP in a statement said the organisation was aware of Mr Harris’s disappointment in losing his lease.

“We do empathise with him and wish him the best for the future,” the statement said.

HELP is an established social enterprise with around 380 supported employees, many of whom live with autism or an intellectual disability, working in different areas of the organisation.

Some of them are now working at the Goodwill Brew Café and more will have the opportunity to work there and develop their hospitality skills in the future.

The supported employees, support workers, and baristas are all paid under the relevant awards.

Goodwill Brew has started serving Merlo Coffee, baked goods from HELP’s Eagle Farm cafe, cold drinks, tea and ice-creams from 5.30am each day.