‘It was just like Christmas’: Local coffee shop announces extended hours for monster Airshow crowds

Businesses is Surfers Paradise are making dramatic changes to allow for the anticipated hundreds of thousands of Pacific Airshow spectators. Find out more.

A Surfers Paradise cafe owner has likened the Pacific Airshow to “Christmas” for traders on the
Glitter Strip.

The buzz is growing around Surfers as works continue on preparations for the event this weekend, which is tipped to draw massive crowds to see the amazing aerial extravaganza.

Last year, the inaugural for the event, nearly 250,000 people flocked to Surfers Paradise driving more than $33 million in expenditure.

And already there are big expectations for this year’s event.

Owner of ESPL Coffee Bianca Holgate and Barista Jake Backhouse at an announcement prior to the Pacific Airshow which will be held in late August. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Owner of ESPL Coffee Bianca Holgate said during the 2023 Airshow weekend their sales increased by 35 per cent compared to the previous month.

Ms Holgate said having airshow-themed decorations played a significant role in attracting customers to the cafe.

“It was just like our Christmas summer trade … we rely heavily on events as spectacular as this during our winter months, so we are very grateful,” she said.

“The airshow decorations greatly contributed to our business’s visibility and customer attraction.

“Having literally front row seats, the amazing festive and exhilarating atmosphere they created drew in thousands of people, making our ESPL location … a popular stop for attendees.

Ms Holgate said ESPL Coffee was adjusting its opening hours to accomodate the expected influx of visitors.

ESPL will open half an hour earlier at 5.30am and close three hours later every day in the month of August.