Townsville food and coffee trader Otto’s bolsters business with purchase

Townsville food and coffee heavyweight Otto’s could be opening yet another drive-through coffee shop after buying out a parcel of land. See what it will be used for first.

Townsville’s Otto’s has added another site to its ever-growing hospitality business, picking up a dedicated repair shop and warehouse which may become yet another drive-through coffee spot in the future.

The fourth of Otto’s drive-through coffee shops opened in Idalia in March. They operate as Good Morning Coffee Trader.

While commuters may be able to get a cup of coffee at Otto’s latest location in the future, for now, company co-owner Don Peel says the purchase of property on Charters Towers Rd is about efficiency for the wider business; it will be a warehouse and repair shop.

Buying the 1358 sqm parcel earlier this year would future-proof the business, Mr Peel said.

Maintenance and repair times for the coffee vendors and market stores which fall under the Otto’s umbrella would be sliced, Mr Peel said. he said.

“Downtime at the other businesses will be reduced significantly. And we’ll also have a full-time repair person here now.”

The section of land is at 270-272 Charters Towers Rd, Hermit Park; the former site of Cooper Tires, with its bald eagle and United States flag mural.

The site on Charters Towers Road which Otto's will use as a repair shop, and possibly another drive-through coffee store.

Otto’s has a drive-through coffee location down the road, on the other side of the street.

“The idea for Charters Towers Rd is to capture both sides of the road,” Mr Peel said.

The space is zoned for mixed-use, and sits in a convenient wedge at the confluence where Charters Towers and Queens roads merge as Ross River Rd.

Otto’s has no hesitation about expanding.

“Townsville have been amazing to us,” Mr Peel said.

Under the Otto’s business, there is Otto’s Market Warrina and Market Precinct at Idalia. Its four drive-through Good Morning Coffee Traders are at Garbutt, two in Hyde Park and one in Idalia.

Coffee roaster Coffee Dominion merged with Otto’s in 2020.

Originally published as Townsville food and coffee trader Otto’s bolsters business with purchase