Popular northern Gold Coast brunch cafe expands to twice its size in struggling retail and dining strip

While a dozen eateries opened and closed around them, this Gold Coast cafe is looking to double its seating area after buying the property next door. Here’s how they did it.

IT’LL be a double shot at Hot Shott next month as one of the Gold Coast’s most popular brunch cafes expands to twice its size.

The cafe in Main Beach has gone from strength to full strength, amassing a following of loyal customers with its all day breakfast and lunch menu and first class service.

Owners of the Main Beach cafe Jenna Finch and Kellie Rolfe said two eateries had come and gone since they opened three and a half years ago.

“We opened in September 2016, and shortly after somebody opened next to us,” Ms Finch said.

“It lasted a bit over a year. Then the new owners had it again and put it up for sale. They were for sale for eight or nine months.

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Hot Shott is doubling in size after buying the property next door. Owners Jenna Finch and Kellie Rolfe. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“We decided to take the opportunity to put an offer in and expand.”

While the Tedder Ave retail and dining strip has struggled in recent years with more than a dozen eateries and restaurants closing up, Hot Shott remained a firm favourite for locals and visitors.

“We had a line most days, even during the week, to wait for a table,” Ms Finch said.

“We currently sit 74 people. On New Year’s Day we seated (a turnover of) 580 people. That was our record day.

“Now it’s going to be a lot more roomy, people don’t have to wait for a table. It’s all about improving and going with the business.”

The couple have put another two front of house staff on board and added a new chef to the team to cope with the extra demand.

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The team in front of the new expanded space next door, currently sitting extra tables while renovations complete. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms Rolfe puts the business’ success down to “listening to the customer” and running the cafe like a five star restaurant.

“We both have five-star backgrounds and met working at Versace,” she said.

“We have an understated five-star service in place, with the way we’ve trained the kitchen and the staff. We’re really efficient.

“From the waiter to the chef to everybody involved, we don’t like to say no to customers. “There’s a lot of people with dietary requirements that like to have their own meal, so it’s not just only what’s on the menu for them.

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Jenna and Kellie met working at Versace Hotel. Picture: Jerad Williams

“If we can do it, we don’t say no. That’s been a big plus and broadens our reach.”

Hot Shott is expecting to officially open its expanded area on March 7.