Cairns Thattukada, Oakberry Acai, The Calypso Bar: Cairns newest businesses listed
From medicinal cannabis, artisan Japanese pastries, bags handmade in Morocco to car repairs and fabrication — check out our list of the newest businesses in Cairns.
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From medicinal cannabis, artisan Japanese pastries, and bags handmade in Morroco to car repairs and fabrication, Cairns’ newest businesses have a lot to offer.
Check out our list of just some of the newest businesses that have popped up around town that could just have you dancing in the dark.
Cairns Thattukada
A chef with more than 20 years of experience is bringing the authentic flavours of southern India to Cairns.
Cairns Thattukada, the newest kiosk at Rusty’s Markets and the very first of its kind, is a one-stop shop for those craving authentic southern Indian street food from sizzling dosas to crispy vadas.
The word “thattukada” in Malayalam means roadside eatery, which perfectly describes the theme of owner and head chef Fluver Litten’s venture.
“I do starters like samosas, cutlets, and rolls along with coconut curries, chicken and beef porrotta and have recently introduced masala dosas,” he said.
A new item was included every week and string hoppers or idiyappam would feature next on the menu.
Previously Mr Litten was owner and chef of Coconuts Cafe and Restaurant in Rotorua, New Zealand, before he moved to Cairns four years ago
Oakberry Acai
Cairns residents have welcomed the opening of global brand Oakberry Acai’s first Far North franchise to the Esplanade precinct.
The store is serving up acai bowls and smoothies with a selection of local fruit and Australian made toppings.
Franchise owner Matheus Ramos said he had enjoyed great success in the first few weeks of trading.
“Acai itself is growing (in popularity) all over Australia and it’s been very popular in Brazil for years already,” Mr Ramos said.
“We’ve been doing really well, people (have) embraced us.”
“They’re always saying ‘oh we’ve been waiting such a long time for Oakberry to open in Cairns and finally you brought it up here for us’ so it’s been really nice.”
The Calypso Club
A new Caribbean-inspired specialty rum and seafood bar called the Calypso Club has opened on the Cairns Esplanade just in time for summer.
The October 19 opening follows the revealing of concept artwork released in March this year that detailed plans for the defunct Greenfield bar on the ground floor of the Crystalbrook Riley tower.
The refurbished light and breezy island-themed bar features exposed wood grain, wicker furnishings and yellow beach umbrellas.
Crystalbrook Riley general manager Melissa Shaw said the new venue was an expansion of the company’s Cairns offerings that include Crystalbrook Riley’s rooftop bar, Rocco and Asian fusion restaurant, Paper Crane.
“Calypso Club has a tropical, wanderlust spirit that perfectly balances playful and bright with elegant and charming,” she said.
Lovena Bridal Studio
A Cairns bridal boutique has braved the odds after four years of setbacks to open a brand new shop offering beautiful wedding gowns for every bride.
Fittings have begun at Lovena Bridal Studio with a limousine service as part of its opening promotions – picking up bridal parties for bubbles and a ride around prior to a one-hour appointment at the shop.
“I will literally fall over backwards for people to try to get them into something they love,” she said.
“I want to see (happy) tears – if I am not convinced you love that dress, I’ll keep looking for another gown.”
Owner Narelle Bennetts, has 40 years of industry experience and just wants to see brides happy.
Lovena Bridal Studio is located in Manunda and open five days a week, Tuesday – Saturday.
Copperlode Brewery
Copperlode Brewery at 1 Hargreaves Street, Edmonton, opened its doors on August 31 after spending the last 18 months refining the most “perfect” tasting beer and creating a fresh-looking brewery.
The interior is both modern and rustic with nods to iconic parts of Cairns such as crocodiles on the bar top and local sports team memorabilia.
Head brewer Morgan Hind said this brewery was the first of its kind in the ever-expanding southern suburbs of Cairns.
“It’s exactly what the southside was missing,” Mr Hind said.
“It has taken us a lot of hard work but we’ve got here … and we’re very proud.”
He said that the beer was crafted with the lifestyle of Cairns in mind.
“We have beers called River Lizard and Red Dust to acknowledge what it’s like living up here, and we’ve made the taste as refreshing and smashable as possible,” Mr Hind said.
“Smashable is actually a word we use in the industry … we want it to be easy to drink.”
Airlocker Training
Air Locker Training opened in Woree on September 11 and is a group training gym that offers a “less is more” approach.
Franchise owner Matthew Wydell said with high altitude training, you’re almost working out just walking in the room.
“So, instead of working at a say … 8-out-of-10 effort level, you can work at a 6-out-of-10 because your body is already working hard,” Mr Wydell said.
“It means less weight and less intense workouts.”
Mr Wydell stressed the importance of a gym with community and said most high altitude gyms were specifically for performance athletes.
“Everyone can reap the benefits of the higher altitude,” Mr Wydell said. “You don’t have to do the same amount to get the same benefit.”
Bowerbird Australia
Bowerbird is a new boutique operating out of shop 8, 84 Lake St and sells unique accessories, hats, and bags that are sure to make a statement.
Owner Michelle Snowden relaunched the shop in September after moving to Cairns from Darwin in April.
Ms Snowden said while she is working to increase her boutique fashion clothing stock, the real standouts at her store were the unique accessories and fragrances imported from Europe.
“Our specialty jewellery brought in from Greece, quality handbags made in Italy, and fragrances straight from the streets of Paris,” she said.
“We also collaborate with Australian artists on things like our beautiful scarfs.
“I wanted to offer items that stand out and are unique and were made with quality and our accessories really do offer that.”
Japan Pan Artisan Bakery
A brand new artisan bakery on Mulgrave Road is proving to be a rising hit among locals looking for something fresh and unique in Cairns.
Japan Pan Japanese Artisan Bakery opened at 381 Mulgrave Rd in Bungalow on September 29 and has been packed out since with locals looking to get a slice of their Japanese specialty baked goods.
Noboru Furukawa said the store has been very popular and they were very happy to see people enjoying their products.
“We have been very busy, it has been good, we have had to add an extra preparation day on Thursdays to be able to keep up with the demand.”
The store is currently open from 8am-2pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with other days taken up with busy preparation for the next day’s trading.
Doherty Plumbing Services FNQ
Doherty Plumbing services is a new plumbing business in Cairns that has just hit its six-month mark of operations.
They cover all aspects of plumbing from water leaks, gutter replacements, vanity installation, renovations and more.
They opened the Cairns-based company in April this year and service the area from Babinda to Port Douglas.
DJR Welding and Fabrication
Dylan Jones began DJR Welding and Fabrication five months ago on the Northern Beaches.
Mr Jones specialises in aluminium but can work with all materials.
DJR is based in Trinity Beach and is available for jobs of any size involving welding, fabrication, and metal work.
The Toasted Goat
What started as a food trailer set up near the GoKarts in Smithfield serving toasties and coffee has now become a truly mobile venture with Mexican food on the menu.
The Toasted Goat, run by Erik Thorpe, is now sporting a sombrero with an assortment of tacos on offer at Edmonton’s Copperlode Brewing Company on weekends.
Besides this semi regular gig, they will soon be at markets, festivals and other venues according to Mr Thorpe.
With an active social media presence, fans can follow their updates to know where the Goat will go next.
Redback Solutions
Redback Solutions has marked the expansion of its services to clients in Far North Queensland as a milestone in the company’s growth.
“We are excited to establish our presence in Cairns and contribute to the vibrant business community in the region,” Director Dave Eddy said.
The new office, located in the heart of Cairns at Unit 14, 12-14 Lake S, will serve as a hub for Redback to better cater to the digital marketing needs of businesses in the Cairns region.
Their team of 30 boasts a broad range of digital capabilities, including web design, development and hosting, search engine optimisation, Google Ads, branding and graphic design, copywriting, social media content, and strategic growth marketing.
Vida Juice
Cairns Central has a brand new juice bar aiming to compete against the juice juggernaut boost Juice.
Located in front of Woolworths, Vida Juice is a family-run business providing juices and health food.
Their vision is to become the go-to destination for juice and smoothies in Cairns, educating and inspiring their customers to make healthier choices without sacrificing flavour.
They want to create an atmosphere of vitality and positivity where everyone who orders leaves feeling refreshed and energised.
The Writing Studio
The Writing Studio offers copywriting and editing for businesses and creative professionals; resume-writing and transcription services; and English tutoring.
The business operates out of Cairns, with the option for online service as well.
The business started in September 2023 with the aim of supporting small business owners, writers and professionals experience greater confidence and success with communication and marketing.
Contact them at www.thewritingstudio.com.au or info@thewritingstudio.com.au
We Are a Tribe and Bags of the World
We are a Tribe collaborating with Bags of the World opened its retail premises at 91 Grafton St, Cairns City.
We Are a Tribe is run by Rose Ladiawa who is from Sulawesi Indonesia.
The store offers a range of traditional clothing, stunning jewellery, and homewares.
Ms Ladiawa operates her store alongside Anne Everdeen and her outlet Bags of the World.
Ms Everdeen started her company selling at markets around Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands but after Covid she began operating a pop-up store in shopping centres before opening at their new location.
Ms Everdeen said: “This now gives me a better chance to accomplish my business goals. That is to sell products that are helping artisans and their families.”
Bags of the World stocks handbags, baskets, totes, hats and slings from around the world including Madagascar, Morocco, Turkey, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Peru and Nepal.
All their loyal customers from Cairns, surrounding areas, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and the rest of Australia can visit and pick beautiful dresses, bags, hats and accessories from their unique and colourful collections.
Mayfair Buyers Agent
Chris May started his business as a buyers agent around three months ago.
“I exclusively represent property buyers as an agent, not like real estate agents representing the best interests of sellers,” Mr May said.
“It is currently a niche market and not many people are doing this.
“In the future, it will be a huge advantage for all people buying in the Cairns and Far North real estate market.”
Mr May said there has been one main buyers agent in Cairns for the last two years, but this is set to change in the next few years.
Contact Chris at chris@mayfairba.com.au
NQ Fire
NQ Fire is a fire protection service, specialising in detailed evaluations and solutions to fire protection engineering services and passive fire protection.
The company has just started a fire testing service in Cairns servicing all of the north.
NQ Fire can assist you in providing design review, staff and installer training, pre-installation presentations, riser design, installation drawings and detail, contractor checklists, and ongoing advice.
With a variety of systems available on the market, NQ Fire can advise on acceptable alternatives.
NQ Fire provides third-party certification services for passive fire systems for all types of construction and hydrant testing.
No Lights, No Lycra
No Lights, No Lycra is a weekly dance class with one aim, to free you from inhibitions and find a little bit of freedom.
Rebecca Godfrey has opened the Cairns branch of the widely growing dance craze that has people from all walks of life dancing in the dark.
The idea has grown from a small gathering in Melbourne into a global community, driven by the contagious joy and people’s love to dance.
Weekly dances are held at Arc Community Hall at 52 MacNamara Street in Manunda every Monday from 6-7pm for just $10
Great Barrier Tea
Great Barrier Tea is a local loose leaf tea business using all Australian-grown ingredients selling from a market stall and soon to appear in stores.
Owner Bryony has run a small tea business for 15 years in Sydney and Tasmania but it wasn’t until she came to the Far North that she decided to launch her own 100 per cent Australian Tea range.
“I have realised there are very few places quite as wonderful as Tropical North Queensland,” she said.
“We are spoiled with the natural beauty surrounding us, the rainforest meets the reef on our doorstep and the abundance of flora, fauna and wildlife is truly awe-inspiring.
“With a wealth of locally grown tea, it seemed the ideal place to launch my new tea venture, Great Barrier Tea.”
“Great Barrier Tea is proudly plastic-free and our tea packaging is 100 per cent home-compostable,” she said.
Hail and Dent Solutions
Located at 199 Scott St Bungalow, Hail and Dent Solutions offers a paintless dent removal service for trade and the public.
The company was launched in March after the owner moved back to Cairns after living in Brisbane for 30 years.
The owner was a spray painter by trade and learnt paintless dent repair in Brisbane before moving back north.
Take a look at their quality work on their Facebook page where they show how they can make even the most difficult dents disappear.
Alfa Medical Cairns
A new medical centre has opened up in Cairns North called Alfa Medical and Skin Clinic at 330 Sheridan St, Cairns North.
The centre bulk bills for all medical consultations.
Skin checks and procedures do have a private fee.
Whether you require a routine check-up, specialised treatment, or emergency care, they have you covered.
At Alfa Medical Centre they offer a wide range of medical services tailored to meet your specific needs.
From general medicine and preventive care to specialised treatments in all areas of general practice and many more, their experts are here to support you at every step using cutting-edge technology and advanced medical equipment to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
Their state-of-the-art facilities are designed to provide you with a seamless healthcare experience, promoting optimal health outcomes.
For more information or to book an appointment visit www.alfamedical.com.au
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