Pair long for dream to roll out
Zarraffa’s expansion rolling on
GOLD Coast M1 commuters can satisfy their caffeine cravings with a new Zarraffa’s Coffee Drive-Thru.
Opening on Olsen Ave, Molendinar, on May 19, the latest store takes to 75 the number operated by Zarraffa’s.
Now in its 20th year of business, the coffee empire founded by Kenton Campbell is prepping for interstate expansion.
“It’s happening this year, we’re taking our first concerted step toward moving our ‘giraffes’ into Blues territory,” Mr Campbell said.
“This would never have been possible without the support of our very loyal customer base originating right here on the Gold Coast, over two decades ago.”
The Olsen Ave franchise is run and owned by one of the group’s most seasoned local franchisees. Jan and Max White will be joined by their son Kelly – formerly Zarraffa’s design manager for 12 years.
Jan and Max White also operated stores at Hope Island and Helensvale.
The new outlet is located just prior to the Smith Street westbound exit, and part of the Freedom Fuel site.
The 130sq m store is adjacent to an Aldi supermarket. A LIFELONG passion for skateboarding inspired two physical education teachers to establish Gold Coast Longboards.
Leigh Warner and Stephanie Newbold, who teach at Southport State High School, said they launched the business to exploit a market gap for longboards and cruisers with a classic design that evokes the Gold Coast lifestyle.
They also wanted their boards to be cheaper than others on the market.
Since April 2016, the pair have sold more than 500 boards.
Their products are stocked in 11 shops from the Sunshine Coast to Newcastle.
Longboards are similar but longer than skateboards. They are commonly used for cruising, downhill racing and transport. Cruisers have the same functions but are smaller.
Leigh, a keen skater since childhood, noted the graphic designs on many longboards were ‘busy’ with lots of colour and drawings.
“We wanted something simple – a minimalist design that showcased the grain of the wood in an attractive way rather than crazy cartoons,” he said.
“We took inspiration from local coffee shops, a number of which have clean, classic logos.”
The couple spent months perfecting their designs, starting with the cruiser, adding a splash of colour with black, blue, green and black wheels.
For the logo, they settled on a design of two sets of wheels crossed in a circle with Gold Coast at the top, Longboards at the bottom and Est. 2015 in the middle.
After finding a manufacturer in Hong Kong, they sold their first order – 100 units.
The longboards are made from a mix of bamboo and Canadian maple while the cruisers are wholly maple. Initially, the pair sold the boards online and through coffee shops.
They then approached popular Miami retailer, Darkside Skateboards.
“They gave us a lifeline,” Leigh said.
“They sold a few quickly so they continued to order from us.”
The cruisers cost $139 and the longboards between $179 and $199.
Leigh said this compares to other cruiser brands selling for $160 and longboards for $300.
He said the use of standard skateboard trucks and “cutting out middlemen” allowed prices to be reduced.
Stephanie and Leigh’s next move was more unorthodox.
“We jumped in a van and drove down the coast to NSW, visiting shops along the way,” he said.
“We talked straight to the owner or manager and managed to get into stores in Ballina, Grafton, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.”
The couple hope to sell into surf and skate retailer City Beach, which has more than 60 stores nationally.
The pair would love to grow the brand globally.