Manly, northern beaches: The exciting new businesses to open since lockdown

There’s been a flurry of activity on the beaches since lockdown lifted, with a number of new businesses opening, including a new cafe inspired by a Hollywood movie.

While most of us were watching Netflix during lockdown, there were a number of entrepreneurs working hard to get their new businesses ready for opening once Covid restrictions eased.

Among them is a cafe inspired by a Hollywood movie, a high-end dining option, baby and jewellery boutiques and much more.

Here’s a guide to some of the new places that have opened on the beaches since October 11.

HIGH END FURNITURE STORE

Coco Republic, Condamine St, Balgowlah

This iconic Australian family-owned brand brings a classy range of furniture, homewares and design to the northern beaches.

The company has described its new Balgowlah three-storey 2650sq m showroom as a supersite and flagship store.

Anthony Spon-Smith, Coco Republic’s Co-CEO and chief creative officer, said the company was born 40 years ago when the founder Paul Spon-Smith had Mr Smith’s interiors on Condamine Street, Balgowlah, in the 1980s

“This is really a coming home for the business in many ways,” Mr Spon-Smith said.

“Also given the beautiful coastal homes and way of living on the northern beaches we felt the Coco Republic brand and collections as they are now, were very relevant.”

Next door, the company has opened a stylish Italian cafe, L’Americano, see below.

A spokeswoman for the business said it was “revolutionising how we approach retail by providing a unique hospitality experience whilst one shops for furniture and homewares”.

“L’Americano evokes the essence of the Italian Riviera with its stunning interior setting and delicious homemade Italian inspired menu and we want our showroom to be a one stop destination for our customers and for them to enjoy the experience.

Most of the Coco Republic showrooms feature a L’Americano cafe.

The company has brought in excess of 20 new jobs to the peninsula with its two new ventures.

www.cocorepublic.com.au 

MOVIE-INSPIRED ITALIAN CAFE

L’Americano Espresso Bar, 2/4 Hayes St, Balgowlah

The swish interior of this chic Italian inspired cafe is based on the iconic 90s movie The Talented Mr Ripley. The aim is to transport guests to the Italian Riviera without leaving Sydney’s shores.

Situated next to the entrance of the Woolworths carpark, it’s a fresh, new offering for the residents of Manly Vale and Balgowlah.

Open seven days a week it offers a modern Italian menu for breakfasts, lunches and desserts, as well as a wine and cocktail list.

There’s also a private dining area for 12.

www.lamericano.com.au

INTIMATE HIGH-END DINING

Banco, Whistler St, Manly

This intimate, high end dining offering is the brainchild of Kurtis Bosley, who is behind Corretto in Dee Why.

It has been a long time in the planning.

He met British chef Dan Webb, former Annata chef, a couple of years ago and was inspired by his ideas and creativity so much so, he decided to design a new restaurant around him.

The pandemic got in the way somewhat, but finally the restaurant and bar has now opened, in Whistler St, a side street off the main shopping strip.

It has eight seats around the bar, so patrons can watch the barman’s antics. The kitchen is also open to allow for some theatre.

British chef Dan Webb with MP James Griffin at Banco Manly, in Whistler St, Manly.

Eventually it will seat 40 people, but at the moment with restrictions just 26 can be accommodated. Further down the line, he hopes to add outdoor seating.

Ms Bosley said he wanted to “blur the lines between restaurant and bar and open it right up”.

“I wanted to explore the conversation about what it really means for the diner to be part of the kitchen and the bar.

“Everything is on show. They can see all the theatrics.”

But while the duo want to entertain the punters, they also want the food to be the highlight.

Mr Bosley describes it as British food contextualised in Australia, “comfortable, casual, authentic and warming”.

A recent dish on the menu was duck and foie gras pie.

On Sundays they will offer roast dinners such as melt-in-the-mouth pork belly, but in a twist without the crackling.

There will also be an Australian twang to the food, with the use of indigenous plants such as lemon myrtle and wattle seed.

“We are not pitching for a walk-in crowd, we want to do something that is unique and grand,” Ms Bosley said.

Entree range from $25 to $35 and mains $30 to $45.

BONDI COOL

Saint Valentine Jewellery, Sydney Rd

This jewellery brand which originated in Bondi in 2016 has now expanded with another store which has just opened in Manly.

The collection, which uses a lot of white pearls in its pieces, is timeless, but affordable. And all the jewellery pieces are handmade in Sydney.

The store is uber cool, with white walls and furniture and fits in well with the high end boutiques in that part of Manly.

New shop assistants Frankie Brown and Jaz Holland, both who live on the northern beaches, were excited to finally open the doors last Friday.

BEAUTIFUL BABY BOUTIQUE

Tula Baba, 53 Sydney Rd, Manly

A beautiful new mum and baby boutique has opened in the centre of Manly.

It is offering stylish baby and mum basics and essentials including everything from bottles, breastfeeding equipment, baths, high chairs and prams, to homewares, as well as health products.

There’s also gifts for both mum and baby.

Former advertising executive Caity Higgins, of Fairlight, was inspired to open the store with all her favourite brands after having a baby 14 months ago.

“From my open experience I found it hard to find what I wanted,” she said.

“Through listening to people in the community and my mother’s group I saw a gap in the market.

“So I decided to open my own store with all the premium brands I love in one place.”

Ms Higgins concentrated on the online part of her business during lockdown and had an official opening after restrictions lifted on October 11.

The new mum and entrepreneur, who moved to Sydney from South Africa three years ago, said it was great to see other new businesses open in Sydney Rd too.

An Osteostrong studio.

STUDIO FOR STRONGER BONES

Osteostrong, Sydney Rd, Manly

Ashling O’Brien, 42, of Frenchs Forest, has opened a studio which has specialised equipment to build bone density and said Manly was an ideal place for her new business because locals take an active interest in their health.

She said the 10-minute circuit across four machines can help everyone, from elite athletes to people with osteoporosis

“There’s a huge ageing population in Manly who I think will be interested in this,” Ms O’Brien said.

LASHES AND BROWS

Beaches Lash Co, Pittwater Rd, Manly

Sophie Wilson already had a salon in Newport.

She was already to go with her second salon in Manly when the last lockdown happened.

Ms Wilson, 36, from Beacon Hill is now back with both salons open.

The former HR executive is hoping to win over locals and said the backstreets of Manly is where a lot of exciting new businesses are popping up.

She said she wanted to build up her local clientele before the tourists come back.

NEW CRAFT BEER BAR

Quakers Hat, Manly Grove Business Park, Campbell Pde

A micro brewery hidden away in a little known industrial estate is the latest craft beer offering to open a bar on the northern beaches.

Quakers Hat is the brainchild of the Robinson family, and started as a home beer brewing hobby.

Cam Robinson, 31, said he and his brother Nick, 29, had his dad, known as Davo, 69, started brewing at the family home in Quakers Hat Bay in Mosman – hence the name – a few years ago.

They already had a small brewery in Manly Grove Business Park at the end of a cul-de-sac in Campbell Pd.

After a successful year producing around 1000 litres of beer a week for local bottle shops, they’ve decided to open a taphouse offering five core beers and a “beer of the month”.

Mum Sue has devised the menu which includes various cheese and meat platters, as well as pizzas from a local operator.

The taphouse will be open Friday from 5pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 1pm to 9pm.

Eventually they will look to expand their opening days.

Kidstuff is moving into the old Chemist Warehouse premises on The Corso at Manly. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

AND WHAT’S COMING …

Kidstuff, The Corso, Manly

A toy shop will open up in the old Chemist warehouse site in Manly. Kidstuff, which has had a presence on and off in Manly for many years, has signed the lease for the 262sq m space and hopes to open in a matter of weeks.

Patrick Kelleher, from Pine Property, who was behind the deal, said the site was large and had many benefits for this type of retailer.

“It’s got good visibility for pedestrians walking by and from passing traffic,” he said.

“It has a huge frontage and is in close proximity to the school.”

Left to right: Jeremy Pace, David Singer and specialist chef Guillaume Kuhn outside the new Frenchies Rotisserie which is due to open in Manly.

OLD SCHOOL FRENCH FOOD

French Rotisserie, Darley Rd, Manly

The people behind this new food venture also own Frenchies Brasserie in Elanora Heights, which opened four years ago and another in Noosa, which opened two years ago.

This new Manly venue will be takeaway only, but with outdoor seating just outside, people can enjoy all the tasty options they have on offer, al fresco.

Owner David Singer said the eaterie will offer French style roasted chicken, with lots of salads including vegan options, plus cold-pressed juices and cocktails and wines.

There will also be patisserie items, such as croissants and other French-inspired baked goods.

Mr Singer, who lives in Dee Why, said his background was in wine retail and he moved into French food and goods a few years ago. He now has a new wine company called brasseriewines.com to add to his stable of businesses.

“Lockdowns delayed a few things such as getting new staff and equipment,” he said.

“But we hope to be open by November 9.”

PIZZA MADE WITH PASSION

Pizza at Yours with Emiliano, 140 Sydney Rd, Fairlight in Fairlight

Owner and chef Emiliano Maturo is opening a new Italian restaurant at Fairlight, offering traditional food from homemade pasta, to platters, authentic pizza and classic desserts.

The business is up and running for takeaway, but the in dining won’t be ready until early December.

Mr Maturo said he makes everything from scratch and it is all based around his passion for food.

The Italian native, who was born near Napoli, in southern Italy, moved to Australia aged 20 to create a better life for himself.

He’s now living in Manly Vale.

“Just a few months ago I decided to make the big step that will make myself happy and the community around me,” he said.

“I am sure that I will become famous and everyone will love our food.”

If you know of a new business get in touch: [e-mail].