Nicky’s Cafe and Takeaway are experiencing an uphill battle

A Caloundra cafe owner battling the challenges of small business in a pandemic is refusing to bump up her prices in a bid to support everyday workers. Read why here:

An ex-truckie who knows all about life on the road refuses to bump up prices at her Caloundra cafe in a bid to support battling workers despite the struggles of doing business through a pandemic.

Nicky’s Cafe and Takeaway owner Sue Jeffers took control of the Caloundra business in April.

Ms Jeffers said the past nine months in business had been “tough”.

“It does have its challenges and it is hard to make a living, very hard,” she said.

“It’s tough in general I think and I don’t want to put the prices up too high as I want to keep them affordable for the everyday worker.”

Owner of Nicky's Cafe and Takeaway Sue Jeffers with staff member Danya. Picture: Eddie Franklin

The former truck driver said she offered plenty of deals and specials for her customers.

“I’m a roadhouse cook and truck driver by trade so the menu is full of things that I’ve picked up on from when I was out on the roads,” she said.

“I target more of the workers to offer them affordable lunches by doing a lot of deals and specials.

“By the time you pay $10 for your burger it’s generally another four dollars for your chips and then three dollars for a drink so instead of that I just throw it all together and add $2.50 on.

“The customers love it and they walk out the door happy.”

An inside look at Nicky's Cafe and Takeaway situated in Little Mountain, Caloundra. Picture: Nicky's Cafe and Takeaway Facebook.

Ms Jeffers said the business had still not recovered from the impacts of Covid-19.

“We did lose a lot of business through the impacts of Covid-19 and we never got back fully,” she said.

“Some days I think it’s getting better and then other days it’s not so we’re just stuck in limbo at the moment.”

The cafe on Pierce Ave in Little Mountain is open until 3pm six days a week.