Openings and closures of the Sunshine Coast business community in 2022
With a bunch of new businesses flourishing and others sadly closing their doors, we take look back on the notable ups and downs of the region’s business community over the past year.
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Following a long year of staffing shortages and rent spikes, some businesses cracked under the pressure while others opened with a bang or came back after the pandemic stronger than ever.
We’ve reflected on the best and worst moments of the past year within the Sunshine Coast business community, take a look below.
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Bocca Italian, Bokarina
The businessman behind Rice Boi and Giddy Geisha, Tony Kelly, opened his eighth venue, Bocca Italian, at Bokarina Beach in early June.
The restaurant is located at the ground floor of Clark Group’s beachfront Seanna Residences at 21 Kombi St.
Mr Kelly said Bocca has a “refined casual” dining experience, could seat up to 150 people and include a 14-seat private dining room.
Liliana’s Trattoria
A retired Italian granny partnered with a prominent restaurateur to open a traditional trattoria at the Sunshine Coast’s night life precinct in Maroochydore.
Liliana Kain, 71, thought her days of operating dining establishments were over until she was recently approached by Junk owner Scott Hoskins, with an idea to celebrate her long-held family recipes.
Liliana’s Trattoria opened in July with classic home-style Italian dishes inspired by Nonna Liliana, including wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta.
Mecca, Noosa Heads
Beauty giant MECCA unveiled its first resort concept store as it opened to locals and tourists at Noosa’s Hastings St.
The Australasian retailer’s 109th store features a vibrant colour palette and a range of brands fit for the resort location.
MECCA chief of new concepts and services officer Maria Tsaousis said she hoped the store would become the ultimate beauty destination.
Soka, Maroochydore
Lovers of Japanese food are rejoicing after the grand opening of Ocean Street’s latest addition, which offers customers a modern twist on traditional cuisine.
Soka (formerly Chako) is a charcoal-inspired casual fine dining experience where patrons can watch their meals being cooked on an open grill.
Owners Brian Lee and Jamie Kang were “very excited” to open the doors of their latest business venture on October 21, and said the response from their first customers was one of amazement.
Flo’s Creperie, Mooloolaba
Flo’s Creperie, owned and run by Michelle and her French husband Florian “Flo” Guillemard, opened their first restaurant on Sunshine Beach Rd in Noosa Heads in September 2021.
Almost a year to the day later, they expanded to an up and coming food precinct near Sea Life on the Mooloolaba Wharf.
The cafe has been a roaring success since they opened their doors on September 12, 2022.
Tziki Bar, Forest Glen
The brains behind much-loved Sunshine Coast restaurant Green Zebra have launched their new venture, a Greek-style brewpub which they hope to grow into a mega chain.
Tziki Bar along Mons Rd, Forest Glen opened its 550sq m, 200-seat venue on Wednesday after pouring $150,000 in to create its retro, street-style space, featuring a cocktail bar, 150sq m beer garden, and a mural of Poseidon.
Tziki Bar co-founder Adrian Chrisanthou, 42, said he wanted his new venue to be the first of “plenty” more in the region in the next three years and, ideally, follow in the footsteps of a food chain such as Guzman y Gomez.
Sole Restaurant, Marcoola
David and Sarah Nash hope they have the recipe for success for a seafood restaurant after almost 10 years running a popular Mooloolaba cafe.
The Velo Project owners spent six months preparing to open Sole Restaurant at Marcoola.
The casual dining restaurant was due to open on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Seaward Ln, at what was previously a Vietnamese restaurant.
Vault Espresso, Noosaville
An American inspired cafe in the heart of Noosa opened on the back of a successful catering business offering fine dining and food trucks.
Vault Espresso in Noosaville sold out of their cabinet food after a wave of hungry punters flowed through their rustic industrial cafe on Monday November 28.
Owners Rebecca and Woody Theuerl were blown away by the “unbelievable turnout” confirming their move into hospitality from catering was a good call.
Walter’s Diner, Maroochydore
A business owner who started his hospitality career at McDonalds opened his fifth business, a 1950s-style gourmet sandwich bar at Maroochydore.
The Simco Group owner Danny Simmonds opened Walter’s Diner at Ann Maree Cl, Maroochydore, where they specialise in sandwiches, hotdogs and classic milkshakes.
His Criminal Coffee and Toast Office venues are well known for toasted sandwiches and Mr Simmonds hopes Walter’s Diner will be just as popular.
Baan Mai, Mudjimba
A booming new Thai restaurant opened in the sleepy suburb of Mudjimba with its residents coming in droves in its first weeks of trading.
Hungry customers flocked to the newly opened Baan Mai with its signature yelling neon sign signalling the beginning of a tasty new venue.
Owners Dom Stefanatos, his partner Somkid Nammanong and colleague Jagtar Singh said they were impressed with the reception from the community.
Blackflag Brewing, Coolum Beach
Craft beer gurus from Blackflag Brewing have begun their maiden voyage into the northern end of the Sunshine Coast with a new brewhouse.
A half-pipe, food trucks and hundreds of tins combined for the grand opening of the company’s new bar and brewery in Coolum Beach’s industrial park on Saturday, October 30.
Chief executive Steven Barber said the new venue would streamline operations following a marathon search for a site across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Brisbane for more than a year.
Dough Ho, Mooloolaba
A successful doughnut shop owner opened her second store on the Mooloolaba esplanade to satisfy customers’ hunger for her sweet treats.
Vanessa O’Neill opened The White Oak cafe in Buderim three years ago before rebranding with a “fresh vibe” and new name of Dough Ho in March 2020.
The Buderim Dough Ho store sells out of their decadent doughnuts almost every day, with between 600-1200 doughnuts gobbled up daily.
Priscilla’s Gallery, Montville
A Brisbane couple opened a new business in the heart of a Sunshine Coast hinterland tourist town with a dream of creating a nightlife scene in a town typically quiet after lunch.
Former Brisbane residents Priscilla Jean, 47, and Chad Barry, 39, opened art studio Priscilla’s Gallery along Main St, Montville last week where Ms Jean displayed her original dolls, bowls, and about 300 paintings.
Ms Jean said she was excited to transform her fresh business to create a nightlife scene in a town that was mostly quiet after cafes closed at 2pm.
Briar Blooms Boutique, Caloundra
Briar Hill lived for just five minutes and her existence changed the course of her mum’s life with a business blooming in her memory.
Domica Hill was prompted to start to start Briar Blooms Boutique in Caloundra, which specialises in dried flower arrangements but also sells homewares, clothing and jewellery.
Mrs Hill – a Palawa Tasmanian woman on her mother’s side – opened the shopfront in Bulcock St on October 15, 2022, coincidentally on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
BFT Maroochydore
A personal trainer with eight years’ experience has opened his own gym in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, encouraging their members of all fitness levels to train smarter, not harder.
Co-owner of BFT Maroochydore Ben Keck said the turnout and atmosphere was “amazing” for the opening of his dream business at the start of April.
BFT Maroochydore employs a head trainer and three gym floor trainers to run classes for members of all fitness levels and ages.
Buderim Cookie Co, Buderim
A gluten free baker with more than 20 years’ experience home baking and selling produce at market stalls is opened her first ever brick and mortar venue.
The Buderim Cookie Co. was opened in Burnett St by Buderim native Anja Mew who founded the business back in 2004.
Ms Mew had been selling her range of biscuits and pastries at markets across the Sunshine Coast for several years before deciding to open her own shop.
Edwards and Co, Noosaville
One of the fastest growing and most luxurious hair agencies in Australia opened its ninth store, attracting celebrities and influencers to the new Noosa salon.
Edwards and Co has become the “fastest growing” and “most dynamic” hair agency in Australia, with more than 144,000 followers on Instagram.
Founder Jaye Edwards partnered with Noosa’s Amanda Stevens to open their latest space located in Noosaville.
Sippy Social, Sippy Downs
A young couple is taking the Sunshine Coast hospitality industry by storm opening their third cafe marking their second business to be launched in just a matter of months.
Sunshine Coast couple Jake Jodvalkis, 26, and Kristy Knox, 27, opened their third vibrant cafe, Sippy Social, along Central Dr, Sippy Downs, in July, serving up coffee, smoothies, and ready-to-go healthy meals.
Ms Knox said they dived into a third venture when an opportunity arose to take over from an existing cafe, Miss May, rebrand it, and add key items such as healthy juices, smoothies, and pre-made meals.
Husk and Will, Bulcock St
A Caloundra shopfront that was previously home to a 30-year family business has been transformed by a young mum into her dream venture.
Courtney Blake had always wanted to open her own baby business and on September 27, 2022, she finally threw open the doors of Husk and Will on Bulcock St.
Ms Blake said she was thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response from her opening day and shared how the shop space had a special place in her heart.
Kismet Tonic and Espresso, Yandina
The brains behind a cult favourite cafe in Caloundra revealed her next move as she aims to replicate her success in a growing hinterland town.
Kismet Tonic and Espresso is a medicinal tonic and organic espresso bar along Conn St, Yandina that opened early this year, serving coffee, vegetarian bites, and mushroom tonics.
Kismet Tonic and Espresso founder Georgia Pearson, 41, said she wanted her new cafe to mirror the success of vegetarian and organic cafe Greenhouse Cafe in Caloundra, which she founded and owned between 2013 and 2016.
Me Coffee Merchants, Coolum
A Sydney coffee merchant has moved north and opened his eleventh coffee shop in Coolum Beach.
Peter Tsiakalakis opened Me Coffee Merchants in the Coolum Park Shopping Centre in August, 2022, after a six-month preparation to ensure the cafe looked its best.
Mr Tsiakalakis said he was confident despite the uncertainty around cost of living and rising interest rates and rents that was affecting Sunshine Coast residents.
Artigiano Gelato Mooloolaba
A young entrepreneur and his two mates traded wiring for waffle cones after opening a gelato parlour at a beachside town on the Sunshine Coast.
Artigiano Gelato Mooloolaba opened in March serving traditional and “experimental” flavours, such as Tim Tam and licorice, along the Mooloolaba Esplanade.
Artigiano Gelato Mooloolaba co-founder Matthew Gibson, 21, said he and his co-founders, Joshua McAllister and Chris Stanke, were former electricians in rural Victoria before moving to the region earlier this year.
Phothentic
A Vietnamese refugee, Jenny Luu, fled her home nation by boat in the early-1980s, dodging sea pirates before landing in a refugee camp in Australia.
For two years she served pork buns from a food stand alongside her mother while her childhood dream of opening a restaurant continued to grow.
On August 10 Ms Luu opened Vietnamese restaurant and takeaway Phothentic on Mooloolaba Esplanade, specialising in beef noodle soup and crispy pork banh mi buns in honour of her mum’s recipes after her death in 2002.
Atelier, Noosa Heads
A clothing designer and property developer duo took a leap of faith in opening their first wine bar in the heart of Noosa Heads.
The two friends – Chris Earngey and Jared Clout – decided to open Atelier as they both loved enjoying wine and sharing experiences with their friends.
Specialising in predominantly French and Italian wines as well as premium Australian varieties, Atelier offers 120 different options for its customers.
Cartel Co, Baringa
A Caloundra businessman opened his new eatery in a booming industrial estate after almost closing his pizzeria last year due to the effects of the pandemic.
Sean Cattell, 31, is the owner and head chef of Cartel Co, a cafe and bar in a 350sq m industrial warehouse at 29 Packer Rd, Baringa.
Opening in August, the venue sells pizza, hotdogs, and smashed burgers.
Sunny Days Society, Noosa
Fed up with being unable to find suitable clothing for her 10-year-old daughter, Michelle Payne hit the sewing machine to make fun, tasteful pieces for her girl transitioning between children’s and adult clothing.
Mrs Payne, 41, launched Sunny Days Society in March, which is addressing a gap in the tween market, ages eight to 16, by selling fun, appropriate and comfortable clothes, such as tops, shorts and skirts.
Mrs Payne, who sells online and at two markets on the Sunshine Coast, said sales have gone “really well” as there was a “big demand” for this niche, saying in-person customers frequently complimented the idea.
Spanish Bar Buderim
A Spanish restaurant to the stars opened in a leafy Sunshine Coast suburb with flavoursome international cuisine on offer for hungry customers.
Spanish Bar Buderim along Karawatha St opened on Wednesday June 29, 2022 for breakfast as it prepared to gear up for their lunch and dinner menu in the following weeks.
Owners Adriano and Mary-Joe Gonzalez are experts in the restaurant game after successfully operating their first restaurant Spanish Bar in the Melbourne suburb of Seaford since 2014.
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Nightquarter, Birtinya
Latest documents have revealed the scale of debts claimed by creditors and staff after the collapse of the company behind award-winning live music venue NightQuarter.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents show Food Focus Australia Pty Ltd – the company behind the recently closed NightQuarter in Birtinya – could owe up to $4.2m to secured creditors, almost $300,000 in unpaid super and leave entitlements to staff and up to $3.2m to unsecured creditors.
To-date liquidators had been advised of about $1.6m worth of debt claimed to be owed to 21 secured creditors and about $2.02m worth of debts owed to 92 unsecured creditors, but those figures could change as investigations continue.
IGA, Buderim
The North Buderim IGA that employed more than a dozen people is closing its doors only 18 months after supermarket behemoth Coles moved in across the road.
Cornetts IGA chief executive Graham Booysen, whose company owns the North Buderim IGA along Pittards Rd, shut his store on Wednesday September 28, 2022 following a fire sale of their stock.
Mr Booysen said it was a “sad day” for small business after he took on the massive task of competing with the supermarket giant that moved in along Jones Rd.
Stalwart Brewing, Nambour
A well-known brewery in Nambour, folded in winter, owing creditors about $180,000 at the time.
ASIC records state ACN 636 744 271 Pty Ltd – formerly known as Stalwart Brewing Company Pty Ltd – appointed liquidator Jarvis Archer of Revive Financial on June 29, 2022.
Adam Tomlinson, the brewery’s founder and brewer, said he didn’t want to give up on the venue, but it became “unsustainable” from staff issues, closures and Covid-19 restrictions.
The Attic Cafe, Alexandra Headland
The owner of a Sunshine Coast beachside cafe sold his business after nearly 17 years in part due to fears he couldn’t recover from the pandemic.
Mr Masterman, 59, has been the owner of The Attic Cafe on 168 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland since September 15, 2005.
The cafe sold for an undisclosed amount this month and was handed over to its new owners on August 1.
Meek HD, Coolum Beach
A much-loved hair salon on the Sunshine Coast closed its doors after the owner, Janelle Parsons, decided it was time, and wanted to step into a new role.
ASIC records shows Meek HD Pty Ltd ATF The Meek HD Trust – trading as Meek HD in Coolum Beach since 2013 – appointed a liquidator on July 19, 2022.
Ms Parsons, a single mother and cancer survivor, said it was a tough call but the right decision for her and her family, especially after encountering many hurdles - from floods to Covid-19 - in the past three years.
Kellys of Peregian, Peregian Beach
A Sunshine Coast father-of-six has revealed the tragic circumstances that sparked the collapse of his family’s hospitality company.
Kellys of Peregian on Kingfisher Drive, Peregian Beach has been a family-friendly cafe and restaurant since opening in early-2014.
Mrs Kelly’s husband, former Kellys of Peregian Pty Ltd shareholder Gareth Kelly said the eatery “couldn’t survive” following Covid-19 restrictions, staff shortages, and his parents being involved in a tragic car accident earlier this year.
Soul Fish Seafoods, Noosa
A popular fishing company in Noosa hung up its rods in July, owing more than $400,000 to creditors at the time.
ASIC records show Soul Fish Pty Ltd – formerly trading as Soul Fish Seafoods – appointed liquidator Jarvis Archer of Revive Financial on July 15, 2022.
In July, Mr Archer said the company owed about $425,000 to creditors, including employees, trade creditors and the Australian Taxation Office.
Red Energy
A Sunshine Coast marketing empire went bust in August, owing more than $3.7m to 72 creditors from staff to breweries.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show members of Red Energy Promotions (Sunshine Coast) Pty Ltd appointed Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants’ Paul Nogueira as liquidator on August 24.
Mr Nogueira said he understood the company was hurt by Covid-19 and returned to profitability, but had already accrued a “fair bit” of tax debt during the pandemic. Records showed the company owed $369,000 to the Australian Taxation Office.
Makara Constructions
A Sunshine Coast-based leading construction company collapsed in August with more than $6m worth of debt.
ASIC records show SV Partners liquidator David Stimpson was appointed liquidator for Makara Constructions Pty Ltd on August 1.
According to the Courier Mail, the family-owned construction company was a leading expert in tilt-up construction after launching in 1971.
The Courier Mail also stated the business owed creditors an estimated $6.7m.
Blue Heaven Noosa
A luxury swimwear brand in Noosa plunged into liquidation with about $115,000 of debt.
ASIC records show Revive Financial liquidator Jarvis Archer was appointed liquidator for Aquarelle Resort Group Pty Ltd - formerly trading as Blue Heaven Noosa - on July 22.
Records show the company’s member was Julia Dunstall, and its business address was along Casuarina Ct, Noosaville.
Blue Heaven Noosa sold luxury, tailored swim and resort wear in Noosa.
Mr Archer said he was told the company was “significantly” impacted by Covid-19, with sales dropping off following the majority of its customers - interstate visitors - being unable to visit due to border closures.
“The director believes the business is still viable, but due to lower turnover, it has downsized to reduce overhead expenses like rent and wages,” he said.
Based on information from the company’s director in July, Mr Archer said known creditors were owed about $115,000.
Blue Heaven Noosa was approached but declined to comment.
The Village Pickle, Nambour
After transforming a “run down” old butchery into a much-loved venue three years ago, the couple behind a beloved cafe in Nambour is closing their doors.
The Village Pickle owners Jaimi Crocker, 33, and Brendan Chan, 38, have announced they’re shutting down from January 2 after pouring $100,000 into the site to build their hit venue in December, 2019.
The popular cafe and bar along Blackall Tce, Nambour specialised in slow-cooked brisket, a New York-style Reuben sandwich, and fermented food, including ketchup, mustard, and sauerkraut.
Ms Crocker said she made the “bittersweet” decision to close the venue following rises in the cost of living, electricity, and ingredients, saying the “catalyst” was the floods early this year.
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