FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR NEW BURLEIGH CAFE
THE co-founder of a popular Burleigh gym is trading in his workout gear and weights for a barista’s apron and coffee machine.
Anthony Bartolo, one half of ACTV, this week launched his latest venture, cafe Magnolia Lane, with friend and business partner Mitch Ryan.
Despite an unexpected snap lockdown, the duo pushed on with opening and have been busy dishing out takeaway meals and coffee.
“My emotions (about lockdown) were that we just need to find a way to pivot and to adjust. Being agile in business is something both me and Mitch are good at,” Mr Bartolo said.
“We had to change to a complete takeaway menu pretty much immediately, but while also still trying to bring people through the door, which is a tough thing.”
Victorian-born Mr Ryan revealed the pair became good friends while he was training at Mr Bartolo’s gym – co-owned by champion ironman Ali Day – more than two years ago.
“It just felt like we had a lot of ideas that aligned, and we were looking for the opportunity to do something together,” he said.
“When this space became available, we figured it worked with what we wanted to do. It’s close to the beach and close to a lot of things happening in Burleigh.”
Next door, the boys will also launch new southeast Asian-inspired restaurant KAMI: “It’ll be a casual eatery, street-style stuff but in a licensed venue. That’ll be ready in about five-six weeks.”
The site – at the corner of Gold Coast Highway and First Avenue – was long held by a real estate agent who recently vacated, but Mr Bartolo said he always envisioned opening a business there.
“I’ve been driving past this space for 10 years and I said … I could make this space work. When Mitch said this was the space, it was a little bit ironic.”