Sunshine Coast couple sells hospitality business Cafe Vie in Buderim
A vegan and vegetarian cafe with a cult-like following has sold after the owners turned it from a business “on its knees” to a million-dollar venue. See the new owner’s plans.
Business
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A Sunshine Coast couple has sold its popular vegan cafe for nearly $400,000 to a businessman who says he’s “extremely confident” he can take it to the next level.
Michael and Christian Collen sold Cafe Vie in the heart of Buderim after turning it into a globally-renowned, million-dollar venue that was “on its knees” when they bought it in 2018.
Michael said it was a hard call to make, especially after it became a brand with a global cult following, but sold it partly because it was time to allow a new owner to take the baton and continue its legacy.
“We’ve done everything we set out to do,” he said.
They also wanted to invest their energy in their other venture, non-profit animal rescue service Mini Tails Sanctuary, which they launched in 2020.
“The sanctuary itself has become its own monster and machine, requiring more of us,” he said.
Mobile bar Kombi Keg Sunshine Coast owner Chris Heilig purchased the business and said he thought it had “great” potential to grow.
The business was already sitting pretty, with more than $1m in annual revenue.
While he would keep the cafe’s menu, brand and allow its existing managers to run the show, Mr Heilig said he was “extremely confident” he could take the cafe to the next level.
He had a few ideas already up his sleeve.
Mr Heilig, who said he had a background in technology and innovation while working for an ASX-listed healthcare company, said he could spruce up the cafe’s online presence, marketing and social media.
He said he was keen to explore delivery service options such as Uber Eats, extending opening hours for dinner trade and the potential for a subscription service for the cafe’s plant-based coffee beans.
“(It would) be pretty cool,” he said.
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