Gympie business: 11 things that have changed the landscape
From exciting new start-ups to the expansion of longstanding companies there is no shortage of good business news reshaping the region and driving the economic return in the wake of COVID
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The recovery from last year’s COVID-induced economic devastation is expected to be a long haul but in there is no shortage of good news to be found across the region right now.
From restaurants to floristry and hairdressing, a wave of business start-ups and the expansion of longstanding Gympie companies have reshaped how the region’s business landscape looks as he head towards the second half of 2021.
These are some of the biggest developments within Gympie’s business community over the past two months.
New Maccas restaurant
The new McDonald’s restaurant opening at Traveston on Monday will create jobs for over 70 Gympie region locals across a mix of full-time, part-time and casual roles.
McDonald’s Traveston will be owned and operated by local licensee, Craig Manley, who employs more than 750 Queensland residents across eight McDonald’s restaurants in Bundaberg, Bundaberg City, Childers, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Urangan, Bargara and Traveston Service Centre.
Traveston is one of the seven new restaurants McDonald’s will open in Queensland this year and marks McDonald’s 233rd restaurant in Queensland.
A cut of quality
The owner of new Gympie business Little Birdie Hair Co, Tenille Lawrence, began her hairdressing career as a work experience student at a local salon in 1997.
Putting her hand up for work experience was the only way to get out of the school sports carnival, she jokes.
“I was offered a job straight away and began my hairdressing career,” she said.
“From here I went on to not only own salons but I was a colour educator for a few major international colour brands and was fortunate enough to educate all over the world.
“The downside to hairdressing to me was that I received chemical poisoning during my first and subsequent pregnancies from dealing with such a toxic substance.
New Indian delights
When it comes to launching a new business, Manpreet Kaler is doing it with a bang.
The Delights of India owner’s new restaurant venture (and her first solo effort) will not only be launching on Mother’s Day in Gympie, but doing so with the help of a chef who has previously won a string of awards including Chef of the Year in London.
The 27-year-old said this new venture was the next logical step on her career path.
Petal to the metal
A Christmas break is often a time to recharge.
But for interior designer Erin Dore, it provided the seed for an entirely new career.
Ms Dore is the owner of Petal Head Farm and Florist, a start-up she has launched after eight years in Sydney as an interior designer.
“I came back over Christmas for a break and decided to stay,” Ms Dore said.
Goomeri double take
Gympie’s westernmost town has received a double dose of good business news with Gympie real estate stalwart Tom Grady opening a new branch and a new bookshop about to throw its doors open.
Korner overhaul
Popular cafe and restaurant The Korner is about to enter a new era with the site at the corner of Channon and Mary Streets undergoing a surprise change of management.
Beauty and the Beard Eats has taken over management of the shop, which has been shut since midday last Saturday.
The new owners, who own and manage the Bunker below the cafe, have so far declined to comment on what their plans for the cafe and restaurant are.
Alchemy back in action
Once troubled Southside restaurant Alchemy has been given a new lease of life thanks to an almost $80,000 investment by its new owner, a former bank manager.
New owner Josh Bereshezckiy threw the doors of the venue open last month following a four month fight to move it away from its troubled past.
The business was shut by the previous owners in November 2020 under a cloud of controversy.
Cooran cafe
After working in the hospitality scene at Noosa for 20 years and owning her own mobile coffee wagon for the last four years, a local barista is starting her own new adventure in Cooran.
Kristel Kite is opening the doors to her brand new cafe The Lazy Fox on Saturday, selling delicious cakes, pastries, bagels and, of course, coffee.
Ms Kite said she saw a need for a coffee shop in Cooran as they have not had one for the last few months.
Read more here
Nolan meats $18m expansion
An $18m expansion of the Nolan Meats meat processing facility in Gympie is now complete, creating new opportunities for job seekers, producers and the export market supply chain.
Federal Wide Bay MP Llew O‘Brien said the region’s families and the economy would benefit from the improved facility for decades to come.
A new cafe hatches
A five year-long dream has become a reality for a Gympie man whose vision was to open a specialty coffee shop near Memorial Park.
The Hatch Specialty Coffee threw open its doors on Tuesday morning and it’s proving to be a hit among Gympie coffee-lovers already.
Owner Matthew Ward said the response from the people of Gympie has been “absolutely insane”.
Teen entrepreneur
Four years ago doctors were questioning if Tristan Sik would even survive catastrophic injuries he suffered when the bike he was riding was hit by a car.
Now the 17-year-old Rainbow Beach student is not only thriving, but making waves in the business world after launching his new Sik Ladz clothing line.
The brand marks the latest stage of the teenager‘s astounding recovery since he broke his leg, hip and collar bone and, despite wearing a helmet, suffered six fractures in his skull that led to a severe brain injury.
An $18 million shopping centre sale
The Cooloola Cove shopping centre has been sold to an ASX-listed property group for an eight figure sum as part of a $90 million splurge by the company.
The Sydney-based SCA Property Group bought the coast towns‘s shopping hub for $18.1 million in February, and the deal was formally settled in March.
SCA bought the centre from Brisbane-based Altor Capital, which purchased it in October 2018 for $12.85 million.
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Originally published as Gympie business: 11 things that have changed the landscape
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