Jarrod, Lauren Dangley open new Gympie cafe Grace and Whiskers

A hospitality power couple, famous for their smoked meats, have officially opened their new coffee shop in the heart of Gympie. See inside:

High school sweethearts Jarrod and Laura Dangley are celebrating the launch of their second-start up in Gympie.

Grace and Whiskers has been operating as a pop-up coffee stop for the past few months, but is officially up and running as a full coffee house as of October 1.

The shop, opened on International Coffee Day, comes under the umbrella of Beauty and the Beard Eats, the company set up by the husband and wife duo who also own The Bunker Smokehouse and Bar downstairs.

Grace and Whiskers staff Ann Zhao, Chevy Corbet and Erin Reddan.

The Dangleys grew up in Gympie and became a couple in their teenage years.

“We took over the family farm and decided we should do what we wanna do which is feeding people,” Mr Dangley said.

After their specialty barbecue brisket and ribs proved popular at events through their catering company, the couple decided to open The Bunker Smokehouse and Bar on Reef St in 2020.

Their latest venture will incorporate elements of The Bunker menu while also offering sweet treats, fresh options and a cracking selection of coffees.

Grace and Whiskers head chef Daniel Calvisi.

“We haven’t tried to bombard it with what we do well which is barbecue we’ve just tried to gently influence the menu with some quality food like that,” Mr Dangley said.

The cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch from Tuesday to Sunday and Mr Dan said at night the upstairs area would serve as a function space for The Bunker.

“In February next year we are going to launch another little surprise,” he said.

Gympie residents are already flocking to the new coffee stop, with Mr Dan saying he is proud of his staff for a “fantastic” effort so far.

“It’s very humbling to see it all come together, we plan these dreams and it’s a lot of hard work,” he said.