What it takes to be voted Mackay’s best coffee shop
A mainstay in Mackay’s growing cafe culture and dining scene is the daily deliverer of the morning tonic needed for the day
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A dispensary, by definition, is where the medicine is provided and delivered to cure what ails you.
For Mackay, The Dispensary Coffee Kitchen Bar is exactly that, but so much more.
A mainstay in Mackay’s growing cafe culture and dining scene is the daily deliverer of the morning tonic needed to get through the day and has been voted the city’s best cafe.
It’s a humbling honour for co-owners Adrian and Damien Connors who, along with mum Lyn Connors, have grown The Dispensary into a flourishing cafe that consistently offers up the right goods, be that drinks, food or atmosphere.
They romped in the win against a highly competitive field of cafes around Mackay.
“As humbling as it is to get the recognition as the best cafe, everyone is doing their best and their own version of things to give Mackay what it deserves,” Damien said.
Describing the city’s cafe culture as in its infancy, Damien said it was a thriving scene with a range of tastes and niche offerings to keep it interesting for those who matter – the customers.
Places such as The Avenues, 9th Lane Grind, Third Ground in Sarina and Y.A.W. were delivering for Mackay diners, offering something different to be tried.
“Mackay is getting a great cafe culture,” Adrian said.
“It has taken a while to build but the cafe culture is really starting to have that uptake.
“Places like The Avenues, 9th Lane, Third ground and Y.A.W., they have all got something to offer and the reason for the cafe culture in town is because they’re all giving something different, offering an experience.
“They’re giving people options to go out and we want people to go to other places and try them and see what they’re offering.
“That is what creates the environment in town.”
The brothers expect the scene to continue growing as international borders remain shut and people explore areas in their own backyards, a continuation of a trend that emerged once lockdowns were lifted, and customers sought human interaction with beloved baristas.
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The Dispensary changed with the market during lockdown, switching to take-home meals under the Dispensary in your Kitchen moniker that kept the chefs busy and trade ticking over.
It was an extension of what Damien called the recipe for success.
“Provide a fantastic venue, the staff provide the environment and chefs provide a quality product that keeps people coming back,” he said.
Celebrity chef Matt Preston said his search to find Mackay’s best cafe was just the start of the Delicious Local push.
“It’s clear from the vast number of nominations and votes we saw come in that local communities are rallying around their favourite eateries; supporting those food businesses who have done it tough over the past 12 months,” he said.
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“That is exactly what we set out to achieve.
“And this is just the beginning. Our local cafe winners are soon to appear in a statewide battle of the postcodes where the cream will rise to the top – as it always does!
“Don’t forget to have your say by checking out your state finalists and voting for your favourite.”
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