Country Kitchen 12 months after car ploughs through cafe

A Gympie businesswoman with a passion for delicious “country” meals expanded her brand when a shocking accident closed her doors two years ago.

Krystle Porter expanded her menu after rebuilding her shop six months after a car ploughed into the building.

It all came crashing down for a beloved Gympie region cafe when a car smashed through the walls of the former corner shop more than a year ago.

Now, the shop is thriving, with a fresh brand name and expanded menu after reopening in mid-2022.

Business owner Krystle Porter, 39, rebranded Heavenleigh Cupcakes to The Country Kitchen after her shop was put out of commission when a silver ute ploughed through the building on Hughes Terrace near the Mt Pleasant.

She watched the car barrelling towards her through the window while a staff member was in the shop and customers just outside.

Krystle Porter's shop was destroyed by a car driving into the building when the 70-year-old driver had a medical episode.

The cafe was out of commission for six months while renovations took place.

Miraculously, no one was seriously injured.

“I was happy the car missed be to be honest,” Ms Porter said.

She was grateful for the “fantastic” support she received after the incident, with many community members offering to lend her a hand in any way they could.

She had to completely replace a wall and flooring as well as many kitchen appliances and equipment destroyed by the accident.

The shop did not reopen until July 2022 due to the renovations. Ms Porter was unable to access insurance for a long time as the region was still recovering from major flood damages.

Heavenleigh Cupcakes rebranded to The Country Kitchen after the building was destroyed.

Since reopening, she expanded the cafe from custom cupcake making to homemade meals, catering, sweet treats, milkshakes and more.

Ms Porter bought Heavenleigh Cupcakes in 2018 and worked as a food and beverages manager beforehand.

She has a passion for baking and “homestyle hearty meals” and loves the nice, country atmosphere of Gympie.

The Country Kitchen business owner Krystle Porter.

The Country Kitchen expanded from custom cupcake making to homemade meals, catering, sweet treats, milkshakes and more. Â

“I really enjoy creating good country meals,” she said.

“The oldies but goodies.

“I think it’s an art that’s dying out.”

Her inspiration for her cooking came from her mother, she said.

She has learnt everything she knows from “growing up in the kitchen” with her mother.

Ms Porter grew up in Eumundi and moved to Gympie in 2017. She loves a good book, going for a drive or a shopping trip and camping, she said.

Originally published as Country Kitchen 12 months after car ploughs through cafe