Cleveland CBD suffers more loss with Coffee Club closure as lease signs flourish

A perfect storm of coronavirus and a lease disagreement has led to the loss of a landmark business at a southeast Queensland idyll as it finally succumbed to mounting pressure.

A PROMINENT cafe that has given a multitude of youths their first jobs in hospitality has closed down.

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First established in 1997 The Coffee Club in Cleveland was a favourite meeting place among locals for years.

With a commanding corner position at Cleveland Central shopping centre at 91 Middle St the once bustling store now stands locked with tables and chairs forlornly stacked after closing its doors on June 7.

The Coffee Club in Cleveland has closed down. Picture: Marcel Baum

It comes as coronavirus has sped up the decline of a CBD already under commercial strain; walking up and down the streets of the picturesque hub it is hard to miss the plethora of for-lease and rent signs.

A Cleveland resident of 15 years who wished to remain anonymous voiced his consternation at coronavirus restrictions.

“They (stores) are closing down everywhere, hey,” the 59-year-old man said.

“This is going to keep happening because they have taken the measures to the extremes.”

Signs direct patrons elsewhere. Picture: Marcel Baum

A nearby restaurant manager echoed that “things were a little slower than normal”.

A The Coffee Club spokesman said the Cleveland store, which had been company owned and run for years, closed as “proposed lease renewal terms were not suitable”.

The business would not say how many of its stores had closed in Queensland other than to confirm the impact of the pandemic had been significant.

“As with most businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on our cafes,” the spokesman said.

“Many of our stores temporarily closed during the period of dine-in restrictions, however the great news is as restrictions lift most of our The Coffee Club cafes have already reopened and we are seeing customers, both old and new, returning to our stores for the same great experience.”

Seating area empty after closure. Picture: Marcel Baum

There are currently no plans for an alternate cafe in Cleveland with The Coffee Club inviting customers to its nearby stores at Capalaba Park Shopping Centre and Capalaba Central Shopping Centre.

The Coffee Club at Victoria Point Shopping Centre also still trades as does a drive-through store on Boundary St in Redland Bay.