Coronavirus: Helena’s Espresso at Nerang puts 30 minute limit on service as restrictions ease

‘We’ve got to give it a go and take it a day at a time.’

BETTER decide your meal and coffee quickly at Helena’s Espresso — you’ve got 30 minutes stopping time only.

The Nerang cafe is reopening to dine in customers on Monday, and to combat the 10-person limit on diners, owner Helena Jaffar said tables have to be pre-booked for half-an-hour sittings.

“Because all our regulars are busting to come back, to make it fair on everyone, we’ve put a half an hour time limit (on tables),” Ms Jaffar said.

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Helena Jaffar from Helena's Espresso at Nerang. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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“All our seating is outdoor so we’ll be spreading all the tables out.”

As with most hospitality businesses, Ms Jaffar was weighing up whether opening for just 10 people was worth the expense.

“We just thought we’ve got to do it,” she said.

“We’ve got to give it a go and take it a day at a time. Because all of our regulars have been coming in for takeaway and supporting us, we’re doing it more for them.

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Helena's Espresso is known for its coffee and Persian-infused food.

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“This is our way of going ‘welcome back’, get a bit of socialising happening.

“It might not be beneficial for us, it’s more for getting that vibe back, it’s been really tough.”

Ms Jaffar said the menu will offer the cafe’s most popular breakfast dishes all for $15, including the saffron-infused eggs benny, the smashed avo and feta and the brekkie bruschetta.