Buderim’s John Kyle Espresso to open new cafe in Maroochydore CBD

After his first cafe proved a hit with coffee lovers, a young businessman is serving up a second venue to attract a new crowd. Check out how he’s mixing up his brand.

John Kyle Espresso store manager Blyth Shilling, 25.

A superstar cafe on the Sunshine Coast will soon have a second home worth up to $250,000 in the new Maroochydore CBD, and is hoping to attract a new crowd with a classic bar.

John Kyle Espresso at Main St, Buderim has been a favourite since opening in 2018 and now is expanding to a second location with a cafe and bar at First Ave, Maroochydore.

The new venue follows a flurry of development in the area, such as an upcoming, $500,000 Italian restaurant, and popular cafes eyeing expansion into the $100m Sunshine Coast City Hall.

Owner Matt Allman, 28, said his new 100 sqm venue will cost between $200,000 and $250,000 to fit-out, including 70 seats and a bar serving wine, tap beer, and cocktails.

He hopes to open in December.

“We’re trying to capture that bar crowd,” he said.

John Kyle Espresso owner Matt Allman, 28. Picture: supplied.

Mr Allman said he signed a five-year lease with his landlord who was “generous” in allowing him to transform the building from an office space to a cafe and licensed bar.

He said he would be striking a balance between creating a relaxed bar atmosphere, also serving share plates, while maintaining his cafe’s existing “cool vibe”.

The born-and-raised local said he would be partnering with his first venue’s store manager, Blyth Shilling, 25.

Mr Allman, who first worked in a cafe at 14, said the duo landed in the new CBD to grow his brand in a rapidly-growing area with room for brunch and specialty coffee.

“We’re confident in the product and brand we have already established,” he said.

He said he’d consider more cafes in the future.

John Kyle Espresso is preparing to open a new store in December. Picture: supplied.

Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce president Brendan Bathersby said the new cafe could be the “first of their kind” in the hub given it had few to no existing coffee shops.

Though, he said cafes will inevitably pop up given the new area was merely 10 to 15 per cent complete.

He also added that there couldn‘t be an oversaturation of cafes in the suburb because “you can never have enough coffee shops”.