Coffee stalls evicted from Caloundra markets

The owners of two coffee stalls at a popular Sunshine Coast market are calling for more transparency from leadership after they were kicked out due to “competition”.

Neilpot Coffee Caloundra

Jaryd Cooper-Burgess has run the Neilport Coffee stall at the Caloundra Street Fair markets for six years, but is now having to close up shop for good.

Mr Cooper-Burgess received an email from the market’s manager a month ago saying he would be evicted from his spot.

The market, which is run by the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, gave the coffee stalls two weeks notice before trialling their removal from the popular event on Bulcock Street.

The email said they must “act within the ethos of the chamber” by “allowing the multiple coffee outlets within the market precinct the opportunity to benefit more greatly from the customers the market provides, and not add additional competition on Sundays”.

Neilpot Coffee Caloundra

“It takes way more than two weeks to get accepted into any market on the coast”, Mr Cooper-Burgess said.

That left him with no time to find an alternative and has no choice but to sell Neilport Coffee.

“The markets paid for my rent and food for the week so it’ll be tight, but they weren’t my bread and butter so I won’t be homeless” he said.

The coffee stall owners repeatedly asked how long the trial was for, what data the Chamber of Commerce had used to come to that decision, what measures were used to gauge success of the trial, and what the re-entry process would look like.

They have not received a response.

The Chamber of commerce and market organisers were both contacted for comment, but have not replied.

Neilpot Coffee Caloundra

Mr Cooper-Burgess said they were told “all” of the local cafes had complained loud enough there was a risk of the markets closing down, but when he talked to them, he found they too were “surprised and annoyed” by the decision as they didn’t see any direct competition.

Emily Scard runs The Pastry Lab cafe, which sits at one end of the markets, and said they were never approached by the Chamber of Commerce.

“The whole concept of the markets would be void if they got rid of every business that had direct competition with permanent stores,” Ms Scard said.

“Where do they draw the line?”

Mr Cooper-Burgess said most regulars would always get their coffee from their favourite shop regardless of whether the markets were on.

“People go to a specific place to get their coffee,” he said.

“The stores had their regulars, and people who wanted to buy a coffee and venture around the markets went to Nikkey or I.

“Obviously someone is not doing well with a business that can trade all week if they are relying on half a day’s worth of trade.”

I Make Coffee and Co Caloundra

Nikkey Williams, the owner of the other affected coffee stall, I Make Coffee and Co, has been at the markets for more than two years.

“I truly find it upsetting more notice, respect and communication wasn’t given, especially when the markets are completely aware of the extensive wait list for vendors to get in,” Ms Williams said.

Mr Cooper-Burgess also questioned where this trial would stop.

“How can you say coffee is in direct competition with these stores when food is the biggest profit maker for coffee shops, and there are food stalls at the markets?” he asked.

Clothing, jewelry and many other stalls also share space on Sundays with brick and mortar stores selling the same products.

I Make Coffee and Co Caloundra

The coffee cart owners have started a petition alleging “the lack of transparency and consultation has created confusion and potential conflicts of interest, with local businesses suffering as a result”.

Their petition calls for “an investigation into the decision making process to address concerns over transparency”, and “implementation of proper guidelines to ensure future decisions involve input from all affected parties”.

Mr Cooper-Burgess said most of the cafes had since signed the petition.

“I think it’s important to have people in managerial roles who understand how tough it is having a small business and how important consideration and support is for the owners,” Ms Williams said.

“I know this is the end for Neilpot, but if I can make a difference for the next person, it’s a win,” Mr Cooper-Burgess said.

“I want to make sure the little guy is protected in future.”

Originally published as Coffee stalls evicted from Caloundra markets