Spotlight on Grafton CBD cafes and espresso bars
Do you prefer your coffee delivered in record time or perhaps in a slower, more holistic manner? We look into Grafton’s CBD café scene to reveal which café suits your style.
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Whether they’ve come to the rescue with a delicious bacon and egg roll or delivered the perfect coffee when you needed it most, Grafton’s café kings and queens cater to all styles and palettes.
Some offer express espresso while offers take their time to give discerning diners and caffeine cravers what they want.
Here are the movers and shakers of Grafton’s café scene and some of the secrets to their success.
Toast Espresso
Owners Mark and Judy Hackett say the secret to their success has been making sure their staff, their suppliers and the wider community are treated like one big family.
“There are people who have been coming here for so long that we actually chase them up to see if they’re okay if we don’t see them,” Mrs Hackett said.
“It’s not just about making coffee and something to eat, it’s about creating strong community connections.”
The drive to not only just feed customers, but give them a safe, inclusive space to nourish themselves was reinforced further when, in 2020, a large Indigenous mural, painted by Kamilaroi woman Maddy Richey and Bundjalung woman Bianca Monaghan, was included in the cafe’s renovations.
Ms Monaghan said it was an honour to be part of the project.
“That welcome feeling has been there for years; when I get my coffee, they always put something on the cup, like the Aboriginal flag, or a little note that says ‘have a deadly day’,” she said.
“It’s those little things that make you feel loved, that make you want to go back, and that’s what you want from a local business.”
Purple Haze Espresso Bar
It’s the hidden gem among the CBD chaos. Tucked away in King Street is Purple Haze Espresso Bar that owner Leisa Connolly says has provided a safe haven for customers looking for some peace and quiet.
“Customers often tell us they like to have a cuppa and some lunch here because it’s too noisy or busy at other places,” she said.
“But whoever walks through our doors will be given the same special treatment as our regulars.”
While most customers gravitate toward Purple Haze for its relaxed vibe, Ms Connolly said it was also important to adapt to changes going on around them.
She put in a takeaway window to cater to employees of several essential businesses nearby who preferred a grab-and-go setup.
“The minute we installed it, it just took off because people recognise the concept from being in Sydney or Melbourne where you order your coffee and go,” she said.
ESP Espresso
ESP Espresso manager Michael Casement said it was all about speed when it came to getting that coffee hit.
“What drives the success for ESP is that we cater for that speed and efficiency,” he said.
“I’ve got customers where, they haven’t even gotten out of their car yet and we’ve already started their coffee order.”
Mr Casement said delivering the best brew in record time was essential but good customer service was just as important as getting the milk and beans just right.
“It’s the customer service that comes with it,” he said.
“You can be making good coffees all the time and people are still going to remember that bad customer service. And it goes the other way.”
Heart & Soul Wholefood and Café
Along with its nutritious and delicious juices, smoothies, breakfasts and lunches, co-owner Rachael Koning said Heart & Soul Wholefood and Café staff always strived to make people feel welcome.
“We strive to give everyone a great experience all around,” she said.
“Great coffee is important and so is great food that tastes amazing and is good for you, as well as the surroundings and the overall staff experience.
She said an amazing meal and great coffee could mean little if the person serving it didn’t care.
She said she and co-owner Shelley Kirkee took a holistic approach to the café so everything they did was “good for the soul, good for the heart”.
Mrs Koning said the past 18 months had been difficult for the community but inspired the Heart & Soul team to sharpen their focus on customer service.
“For us it’s all about treating everyone equally and ensuring the customer feels looked after,” she said.
“After all, our hashtag is ‘we love serving you’.”
1851 Espresso Bar & Café
Located in the Grafton Shopping World Link arcade, 1851 Espresso Bar & Cafe can cater to all appetites with an extensive menu to choose from.
“Everything we make is made fresh with local produce,” owner Sheree Cordell said.
“If you only have a half-hour lunch break and want a large meal, we can have it to you in seven minutes.”
Ms Cordell said the cafe offered small meals, large plated meals and catered to special dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free.
“If you want something quick, we have a grab-and-go selection and a coffee that can be ready in two minutes,” she said.
“But if you feel like a large plated meal, we have you covered for both breakfast and lunch.”
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