Victorian restaurateur behind the popular Pholklore venues reveals plans for Caloundra
A Vietnamese fusion street food venue with a cult following in Victoria has revealed plans to open a third restaurant in an up-and-coming Sunshine Coast suburb as they look to expand.
Sunshine Coast
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The restaurateurs behind a Vietnamese fusion street food restaurant with a cult following in Victoria have revealed their plans to head north and open a third venue on the Sunshine Coast.
Pholklore, which is described on the website as a casual street food dining experience, was established in 2017 by co-directors Dominic Friend, Joshua Friend and Thomas McGrath, according to Australian Securities and Investment Commissions documents.
A development application to the Sunshine Coast Council was submitted on behalf of Todojo Pty Ltd, the Victorian-based company which operates the two Pholklore venues in Geelong and Torquay, to open a third site at Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.
Mr McGrath said the Caloundra venue would serve as a “test case” for further sites throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
“It is something completely new to Queensland, we hope the people of Caloundra and south east Queensland take to it like the people in Torquay and Geelong have,” Mr McGrath said.
“It is something exciting, different, it is not traditional Vietnamese it is out take and we think it is something that could work really well in the area.
“We are looking to expand as much as possible, for this one Caloundra was the best fit.”
Outlined in the town planning report, submitted to the council last week, are the restaurant’s plans to establish a food and drink outlet as well as number of upgrades and extensions to the existing commercial building at 110 Bulcock St, Caloundra.
“The proposed fit out of the building will be complemented by the construction of a new deck at the rear of the premises that will be used for outdoor dining,” the report stated.
“The proposed development will provide additional high-quality dining opportunities for Caloundra locals and visitors and will contribute to the ongoing activation and improvement of Bulcock Street.”
The report also stated there would be a number of the brand’s signature design features included in the venue if granted approval, including shipping containers and ample outdoor dining space.
The report stated the venue would contribute to Caloundra’s growing popularity with tourists and diverse identity.
“Development is intended to reinforce this identity through a diversity of activities that support the consolidation of the Caloundra Centre, which is flanked by tourist accommodation and high density residential development,” the report stated.
According to property data the commercial block at 110 Bulcock St sold in May last year for $2.6m, snapped up by the co-director’s company, McGrath and Friend Ct Pty Ltd.
If approved the venue is likely to be open by April 2025.
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