New businesses, restaurants, gyms open on the Sunshine Coast in 2021
From high-end restaurants to new distilleries and pilates studios, businesses have thrived in 2021, with many owners opening their doors for the first time. SEE THE LIST
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It’s been a tough year for many but 2021 has proved a huge success for some with a string of new businesses opening their doors to the public.
From unique Japanese Food in Ocean Street to a bold bid to go from food processing to rum distilling, there’s plenty of reasons to support new business on the Sunshine Coast.
Here’s 19 businesses that opened in 2021:
Paradise Rum, Warana
A Buderim man with a love of rum has turned a dream into the Sunshine Coast’s newest distillery with 15 staff on the books and bold expansion plans already brewing.
Self confessed “novice to the industry” Chris Clyne said he wanted to get back into business and figured rum distilling was the perfect plan.
Having previously worked in the food processing industry, Mr Clyne said he wanted to create a Caribbean tasting rum with a coastal influence but only after he was able to convince his wife Cath the business was the right move.
Primarily focusing on Caribbean spiced rum and aged rum, Paradise Rum in Warana is offering customers a variety when it comes to the drinks menu.
The family operated business is employing about 15 staff with plans to expand in early 2022.
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Flo’s Creperie Noosa, Noosa Heads
The man behind a popular Sydney-based crepe franchise is bringing his unique tastes to Noosa after securing a long-awaited sea change.
Co-owner Florian Guillemard has taken his talent for crepe making to the tourist mecca after opening Flo’s Creperie in September.
Guillemard launched Four Frogs Creperie in Sydney back in 2013.
Mr Guillemard and his wife had long coveted a sea change and eventually made the move to the Sunshine Coast in 2020.
They established their new restaurant complete with liquor licence on Sunshine Beach Rd and employed 20 staff serving up delicacies from 7am-9pm six days a week.
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Barista on Baden, Maroochydore
A new Maroochydore cafe is set to serve their customers like royalty after one of the brains behind the business served as a butler to Queen Elizabeth II 17 years ago.
Jamie Milverton and Richard Lane have a combined 70 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and have now opened the doors to their new joint venture, Barista on Baden, in the heart of Maroochydore.
Mr Lane who is the owner of The Coffee Crew was a butler to the Queen for 24 hours when she stayed at the Novotel Twin Waters in 2003 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Barista on Baden is situated on the ground floor of The Ave Maroochydore retirement community and Mr Milverton said the business had been going great since they opened their doors in early September.
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Bronte’s, Noosaville
One of the Coast’s best dining locations has welcomed a new cafe and breakfast bar to help give variety to residents and food lovers alike.
Well known businessman Tim Lepoutre recently opened Bronte’s at Gympie Terrace, Noosaville.
The trendy cafe has quickly become the new hotspot for coffee, pastry and breakfast fanatics.
Mr Lepoutre has owned and operated Gusto Riverfront Restaurant for a year and said he was the first person to put his hand up once the space next door became vacant.
“We wanted to open a cafe and breakfast establishment that is a bit more high end compared to some of the other restaurants in the area,” he said.
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Rick’s Bakehouse, Palmwoods
The brothers behind popular Palmwoods diner Rick’s Garage have unveiled the first of a host of expansion plans at the hinterland venue.
Tama and Ben Jamieson recently acquired the freehold property next-door to the diner where they’ve just opened Rick’s Bakehouse.
The pair, both former tradies, did the fit out themselves to open a “stylish” bakery complete with coffee, pies, sausage rolls and sweets all made in house.
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Pancake Pantry, Maroochydore
A new restaurant with ties to a famed 24-hour pancake parlour in Brisbane has opened its doors in a prime Sunshine Coast shopping centre.
Sunshine Coast Washers and Fridges supremos John Buck and Michael Liashenko jumped on the opportunity to open their own hospitality venture with their new pancake restaurant set to replace the former Mad Mex premises.
The new restaurant would offer a fresh take on a traditional breakfast item by incorporating “light and bright” flavours.
The restaurant opened in early December at Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore.
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The Strand Cinema Caloundra
An exclusive movie experience featuring alcohol and film festivals has landed in Caloundra.
The Strand Cinema Caloundra will open its doors on November 24 after extensive renovations to its five-screen theatre.
Owner Luke Warburton has spearheaded the iconic cinema’s revival after its closure earlier this year during the pandemic.
The independent business owner, who also runs the Bribie Cinemas, said a liquor licence and reclining seats would be some of the improvements being rolled out to improve the customer’s movie experience.
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Amore Pizza Co, Coolum
A former tailor who started spinning dough in the backyard and forged a wood-fired pizza food truck has opened his own takeaway shop in Coolum.
It’s been two years since Dan Muscat and his wife Starzy jumped into the hospitality industry and unveiled Amore Pizza Co.
After booming success with the food truck business, Amore Pizza Co moved into a shop at Birtwell Street, Coolum in December.
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Chako, Maroochydore
Lovers of Japanese food are rejoicing after the grand opening of Ocean Street’s latest addition, which offers customers a modern twist on traditional cuisine.
Chako is a charcoal-inspired casual fine dining experience where patrons can watch their meals being cooked on an open grill.
Owners Brian Lee and Jamie Kang were “very excited” to open the doors of their latest business venture in October, and said the response from their first customers was one of amazement.
“The customers say they have never seen this quality of Japanese food,” Mr Lee said.
“I have a passion and love seeing the customer’s reaction when they taste the food.”
Roast and Gravy Co, Tewantin
After running two successful restaurants in Noosa’s tourist hub, two hospitality veterans have branched out to fill a roast-sized hole in the market for locals.
Roast and Gravy Co owners Gabe Klagsbrun and Nick Haddleton recently opened their Tewantin restaurant to offer traditional European and Australian roasted goodies.
Mr Klagsbrun, who previously ran Noshit on Thomas Street and Nosh Express on Hasting Street, said the pair made the decision to start their new venture for Sunshine Coast locals.
“We basically decided we didn’t really want to continue with the trade on the tourist strip there,” he said.
“We wanted to do something for the locals and something that we could expand across the Coast.”
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Strong Pilates, Maroochydore
A personal trainer is hopeful a pilates studio with a twist will encourage more men to take up the fitness movement.
Former state AFL player Ryan Matthews tried pilates after a physio recommended it when he needed a more sustainable way to exercise between training.
Now he is opening his first Strong Pilates studio that combines traditional reformer exercises with rowing.
Mr Matthews said he and his business partner Josh Milner, both 31, backed Strong’s concept from the start because of its “pilates hybrid” combination of cardio training with strength and resistance.
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Empress Athleticus, Coolum
A lawyer who was inspired to start her own fitness clothing line has brought together a team of seamstresses to bring her dreams to reality.
Based in Coolum, Empress Athleticus was launched in early 2021 and is already making a name for itself among fitness fanatics.
Co-owner Kristy Perdriau said she always wanted to start a clothing brand as a “side hustle” to her day job as a practising lawyer.
She teamed up with another local businesswoman, Brittany Lewin, to create a fitness clothing suitable for women of all sizes.
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Pavilion Mooloolaba
Two high-profile businessmen who have joined forces to create an “iconic” beachfront venue described as being unlike anything on the Coast will soon reveal a major rooftop expansion.
After two years of planning developer and real estate director Craig Morrison and Good Bean Franchising CEO Shane Hepburn opened their Mediterranean-inspired bar and restaurant, Pavilion Mooloolaba in September.
Located along the Mooloolaba Esplanade the building that once housed Oneup Bar has undergone a major makeover to create a relaxing space for the venue with sweeping views of the Mooloolaba coastline.
The business savvy pair said the restaurant was designed to make customers feel like they were on holidays.
Beachtree Distilling Co, Caloundra West
An organic gin and vodka distillery which uses sugarcane and rainwater has opened in one of the Sunshine Coast’s fastest growing suburbs.
Beachtree Distilling Co opened its doors at Caloundra West on Wednesday and was one of 125 businesses in Queensland to apply for the new State Government craft brewer and artisan distiller liquor licence.
The distillery’s co-founders Kirra Daley and Steve Grace said they were excited to share the new concoctions with the community.
They said the business was their dream.
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KX Pilates, Mooloolaba
Elle Kendell packed up her belongings, bought a one-way ticket to the Sunshine Coast and left her life behind to chase her business dreams.
The 34-year-old said leaving Adelaide was daunting but she knew the Coast was the perfect place for her new venture, KX pilates.
The reformer pilates franchise operates at 75 locations around Australia, now including Brisbane Road in Mooloolaba.
“I had visited the Sunshine Coast quite a few times over the years and had always just loved the vibe,” Ms Kendell said.
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Woodhouse BBQ, Maroochydore
A young and ambitious chef with a fine dining background has opened his first restaurant with the help of prominent Sunshine Coast restaurateur Scott Hoskins.
Lucas Doocey and Mr Hoskins opened Woodhouse BBQ at Ocean Street opened in July, a new casual dining restaurant where everything is cooked over wood.
The 25-year-old has been the head chef at Mr Hoskins’ Junk restaurant for 18 months and said he always dreamt of opening his own business.
Mr Doocey said there was a special concept behind Woodhouse and that it wouldn’t be your usual “low and slow, American styled” barbecue restaurant.
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Ninja Jungle, Forest Glen
An all-action jungle gym complete with swings, ladders and climbs to bring out the inner Ninja warrior is coming soon to the Sunshine Coast.
Ninja Jungle is days from opening at a centre along Owen Creek Road, Forest Glen inside a fast-changing area full of shopping and dining options.
Associate professor David McIntosh, 48, is the driving force behind Ninja Jungle which he has been trying to open on the Coast for five years.
Mr McIntosh said the courses were designed to bring out the Ninja Warrior of its users, in a set up similar to the hit television show.
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Arcade Box, Coolum Beach
Since arriving in downtown Coolum Beach, Andre Cooper and his Arcade Box has wide-eyed kids of all ages glued to his shop front window.
Having officially opened on Sunday, Mr Cooper, 44, is delighted that his pride and joy – a tricked up air hockey game front and centre of this arcade time tunnel is stopping passers-by in their stride.
Mr Cooper, an IT specialist and former skater boy, loves reliving his own past watching the kid’s eyes light up when they walk through the door.
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MJ’s Cafe and Takeaway, Beerwah
A mother and son duo have opened a new cafe on the Coast which was already receiving rave reviews after just a week and a half in business.
MJ’s Cafe and Takeaway in the Beerwah industrial precinct is a fully-fledged family business started by Landsborough locals who have a long history in hospitality.
Shelley Julius decided to take the plunge back into the food and beverage business after a 15-year hiatus.
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Originally published as New businesses, restaurants, gyms open on the Sunshine Coast in 2021
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