Sunshine Coast hinterland bed and breakfast closes after $1.2m sale
Bed and breakfasts are hot property for interstate buyers looking for a sea-change as a Sunshine Coast six-bedroom property is snapped up and closed after operating for decades.
Business
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A popular Sunshine Coast hinterland bed and breakfast known for its homemade breads and jams is closing after the huge property was snapped up by interstate buyers.
After five decades of providing homely accommodation for tourists Eden Lodge has closed.
Former owners of nine years Charlie and Julie Bevan sold the six-bedroom Mapleton property for $1.2m with the new Victorian owners to close the business and use it as a residential home.
Mr Bevan said it would be sad to see the business go after several other bed and breakfasts in the hinterland – including Peppertree Cottages and Allara Homestead – were also sold for residential uses.
The Bevans turned it into a profitable business with the introduction of online bookings as well as a tasty breakfast menu and homemade biscuits, jams and breads for guests.
“We built it up from virtually nothing where it used to make a loss and now it gives us a reasonably handy income,” Mr Bevan said.
“People don’t seem to want to run them, they think it’s a huge amount of work.
“But really normally you get up at 6am, cook the breakfast and by 11am you’re all done.
“It’s not a full-time job.”
Mr Bevan, a former bookkeeper and stockbroker and Mrs Bevan, a former customer service consultant, transformed the business with a focus on the visitors.
They were well-known for their breakfast options from corn fritters to homemade beans or a traditional bacon and eggs as well as their homemade jams.
The business was hit by Covid-19 restrictions but Mrs Bevan said when the rules eased tourists came pouring back.
Mrs Bevan said they wanted the business to attract like-minded people – and it did over nine years with about 4365 couples visiting.
She said they enjoyed giving people recommendations of other attractions and cafes in the local area.
“It is quite sad,” she said.
“The joy you bring to people by all the little things is pretty special.
“The fact people come here and have never had a bed and breakfast before and they’re sitting around a table with strangers and they talk, it’s really lovely.
“We have a technology-free table at breakfast.”
Mr Bevan said they wanted to create something special with the offering of good coffees as well as 12 hot chocolate varieties.
“This building was put here by English people initially in 1985-86 and was one of Queensland’s first B and Bs,” Mr Bevan said.
“No one heard about bed and breakfasts at the time, apart from in Tasmania.”
The bed and breakfast closed on April 25 in preparation for settlement of the property on May 5.
Mr Bevan said they would move to New South Wales to enjoy a retirement closer to family and golf courses.
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