Locals say their final goodbyes as Nook Espresso closes at Burleigh Heads

Burleigh locals are “lost” and “heartbroken” after farewelling their favourite coffee shop after 15 years trading in the beachside suburb. See what they said

Hundreds of regulars lined up one last time at Nook Espresso on Tuesday as it prepared to close its doors.

• ‘I could have stayed another 20 years’: Coffee legend closes today

Burleigh locals are “lost” and “heartbroken” after farewelling their favourite coffee shop after 15 years trading in the beachside suburb.

Hundreds of regulars lined up one last time at Nook Espresso on Tuesday as it prepared to close its doors.

Resident Wayne Nicholson said the caffeine institution’s community-based business model changed Burleigh Heads for the better.

“I don’t think they realise what they have done for everyone in the suburb,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out.

Wayne Nicholson and Brett Robertson say goodbye to their favourite coffee shop Nook Espresso

“We will miss you guys”.

In August 2022, the business was forced out of its hole-in-the-wall at Burleigh Pavilion and moved into the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

Co-owners Marcus Wilkins and Paola Pearse knew the new location wouldn’t be forever when they signed the lease, due to the building’s imminent redevelopment.

“I knew this was always going to happen, we were on a month-to-month lease, but it just seemed like it wouldn’t happen right now,” Mr Wilkins said.

Mr Wilkins said he was “done with Burleigh for now” and would be focusing on The Holliday Coffee in Nobby Beach and Ms Pearse would put her effort into her Nook locations at Burleigh Stockland and Currumbin.

Keith Arnolds and his four friends – who were nicknamed The Mermaids by Ms Pearse – said service, coffee and good people had kept them coming back for 15 years.

Keith Arnolds and his four friends – who were nicknamed The Mermaids by Ms Pearse

“We couldn’t say how many friends we have made while standing in line,” Mr Arnolds said.

The Mermaids said they might head to the surf club to get their morning coffee from now on, but would make a point of visiting Mr Wilkins’ new venture The Holliday Coffee in Nobby Beach.

“We will support Marcus over at Nobbys,” they said.

“We wish them all the best.”

Paola Pearse says goodbye to her regulars at Nook Espresso in Burleigh Heads

Local Bree Wilkinson said she started going to Nook after they moved from Burleigh Pavilion to the arcade.

“The whole community is so beautiful,” she said.

“I live 30 minutes away and travel here every morning and now I don’t know what I will do.

“I would absolutely make the trip to Nobbys. I would go anywhere Marcus goes.”

She said Burleigh Heads would change after Nook’s departure.

“Burleigh would not be Burleigh without Nook.”

888 Law owner Allan Dick said he had fought for Nook’s lease to be extended when they were originally booted from Burleigh Pavilion.

“They are a great bunch of people,” he said.

Another local Sammy Stevens said she started going to Nook three years ago when she moved to the Gold Coast.

“I want to say thank you so much (to the team),” she said.

“You have created such a beautiful community.

“I wouldn’t have known all the people in Burleigh if I didn’t see the blue cup and have something to talk about.

“I did see there was another Nook in Burleigh shopping centre so will pop in to say hi there.”

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