First cafe opens in new Parliament Square development

THE first cafe to open in Parliament Square is now up and running ... offering treats from one of Hobart’s favourite pastry chefs.

Food curator Jo Cook, chef Alistair Wise and Dane Knesevic from Zimmah Coffee have joined forces to open the first eatery in the new Parliament Square redevelopment. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

BEING the first cafe to open in a new environment will always be a pretty tough experience, but it seems Alistair and Teena Wise have played their cards right.

The owners of Sweet Envy at North Hobart have expanded to open Side Show — the first retail space to open at Parliament Square in Salamanca.

The couple have timed their opening well, with State Government departments making their moves into the new Salamanca building now.

Between September 22-28, the Department of State Growth shifted almost a dozen of its divisions to the building.

On September 25, the Department of Treasury and Finance made its move and just yesterday the Education Department planned to relocate its head office.

Mr Wise said the opening yesterday went well, with coffee and a small number of sweet foods their focus.

The store will move from its current spot at the front of offices to inside the square late next year.

“It’s always hard to be the first,” he said. “We like the location, the fact there is high traffic from a lot of office staff.

“Hopefully on a Saturday trade, we’ll be able to ... capture some of that Salamanca Market trade as well.”

It comes as a Parliament Square spokesman said demolition of 10 Murray St would begin in November as part of the project’s second stage.

He said it would take “several months” but would make way for an open plaza, complete with restaurants, retail spaces and bars. The site will also have an underground car park. The spokesman added that work on sandstone preservation of 12 Murray St was continuing as part of preparations for the $50 million Marriott hotel.

The neighbouring site at 34 Davey St and another nearby heritage building will be converted into the luxury hotel, complete with a three-storey extension.

Guests would enter the hotel via 12 Murray St, which would also include a rooftop bar. The hotel is due to open at the square late next year.

Parliament Square food and beverage consultant Jo Cook said five other hospitality sites would open in the square by the end of next year.