Top baristas planning new career directions
THE owners of an award-winning beaches cafe will be exchanging their aprons for pilots wings and secateurs.
Andrea Palumbo and Larnie Obodin of Veloce Espresso have taken the bold step of selling their community focused cafe and launch into new adventures.
“I am studying to become a pilot,” Mr Palumbo said.
“I wanted to concentrate more on my studies and focus on getting my licence.
“It is something I have wanted to do since I was in Italy; when I came to Australia I started to work in hospitality and now we have accomplished our goals with the business, it is time for a change.
“Larnie is interested in floristry and would like to go down that track.”
Veloce Espresso has been listed for sale with Ray White Northern Beaches and Barrier Reef Business Brokers.
Mr Palumbo said the business would be suited to a community minded couple.
“We are a very local business,” Mr Palumbo said. “Our customers know us and we know them, it feels like a large family.
“It would be great to sell to a couple like us, this is a family business.” Veloce Espresso became a Kewarra Beach fixture when due to the COVID pandemic, many beaches commuters began to work from home.
“When the pandemic started I was scared, but the support from the community has been amazing, especially during lockdown.” Mr Palumbo said.
Veloce Espresso built a following with CBD office workers who would have otherwise bought their morning coffees in town.
“People chose to spend their money at a local business,” Mr Palumbo said.
“Because they were working from home they came to us, and kept coming back.”
The coffee might have something to do with it.
In 2019 Veloce was voted FNQ’s best coffee and came in at number three last year.
“We have our own coffee blend, sourced from Brisbane,” Mr Palumbo said.
“We decided the ratio of beans, made our own flavour, and branded it with our name.”
He said the incoming buyers would receive training on how to brew the perfect espresso, Veloce style.
“We will do a couple of weeks training and handover, for the customers we want a seamless transition,” Mr Palumbo said. Although currently trading Monday to Saturday until midday, and Friday night for dinner, Mr Palumbo said the new owners would have plenty of scope to expand their operations.
“We have a liquor licence with beers on tap, and the new owners may want to trade more nights a week and also do lunches,” he said.
Interested parties can contact Ray White Cairns Beaches on 0418 708 758, Barrier Reef Business Brokers on 0419 783 637, or drop in to Veloce at 1/29 - 33 Poolwood Road, Kewarra Beach and speak with Larnie or Andrea.