CBD cafe, Caffiend has celebrated 15 years in business by ‘giving back to community’

A popular Cairns cafe has celebrated a milestone anniversary by giving back to the community.

Cairns hospitality businessman Oliver James opened his flagstone store Caffiend in 2009 and recently celebrated 15 years in business. Photo: Catherine Duffy

A popular Cairns cafe recently celebrated its 15th anniversary by giving back to the community.

Trendy coffee joint, Caffiend, located on Grafton Street in the Cairns CBD, was opened in 2009 by businessman Oliver James and was the first store in his hospitality chain.

“It was just after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and people thought I was mad to open the cafe, but it’s been super rewarding,” Mr James said.

Mr James, who also runs Guyala Cafe, Newell Street Cafe and Tattooed Sailor Coffee Roasters, said the cafe’s “rough around the edge’s” vibe was a reflection his own personality.

“Each business I open holds a special spot for me, and each of my businesses is a facet of my personality where I can express or explore something that makes up who I am,” he said. “Caffiend is that a bit of that street teen, so a little bit rebellious, a little experimental, rough around the edges kind of vibes.”

Caffiend owner Oliver James celebrated the cafe's recent 15th anniversary celebrations by giving back to customers with specialty $4 and $5 coffee deals throughout 2024. Photo: Catherine Duffy.

Despite a brief respite from the business, which he sold to a local owner, Mr James couldn’t stay away from Caffiend for long.

“I sold it for four years to a local (lady) then bought it back off her which was a cool story,” he said.

“It’s been fun to have Caffiend back and focus on the core values of awesome coffee – we have a specialty coffee menu with options for pour overs, single origin (coffee), passionate baristas, and good, healthy food.”

However, Mr James said his secret to success was looking after people before profit.

“We really focus on community values – I have a set of priorities when people join my team – look after themselves first, team second, customers third,” he said.

“Then suppliers and our neighbours and community, but I think the business, in terms of profits, it’s a result, not a focus, and if we focus another things first, like looking after ourselves, our team and customers, the rest falls into place.”

Cairns hospitality businessman Oliver James opened his flagstone store Caffined in 2009 and recently celebrated 15 years in business. Photo: Catherine Duffy

Part of looking after the community he said, was lending the cafe as an exhibition space to local artists.

“Because it’s a cafe, we have great prices and no commissions because we get the benefit of having the beautiful art on the wall, so it gives the artist a casual, low expectation, chance to showcase their work and get feedback without pressure of a gallery.”

“What we’ve noticed since buying back the cafe is, there’s a real appetite in the arts community to exhibit art in places that aren’t galleries.

“I think any chance that they get to showcase their work is awesome and I think the cafe model is really nice for those reasons.”

Heading into his 16th year of business, Mr James said he was looking forward to opening more stores in the near future.

Originally published as CBD cafe, Caffiend has celebrated 15 years in business by ‘giving back to community’