Popular beachside espresso bar, Nook Espresso, has recently expanded to a second store at stockland shopping centre Burleigh Heads. The original iconic “hole in the wall”, located on the beach at Burleigh Heads has gained such popularity and success since opening in 2008 that co-owners Paola Pearse and Marcus Wilkins have recently opened the second new and improved café.
The original Nook has become renowned for providing locals and visitors with a consistently smooth and full- flavoured coffee made by a friendly team of professional baristas. The same formula has been replicated at stockland with improvements to cater for the shopping environment.
The new espresso bar is larger than the first with outdoor tables and chairs as well as a surrounding ‘breakfast’ bar inside. A simple, yet fresh selection of croissants, Paninis, muffins and slices are offered as an accompaniment.
Three new baristas have been employed and trained up on the expobar Ruggero machine, and co-owner and head barista Marcus Wilkins will bounce between the two nooks sharing his expertise.
Nook Espresso continues to use a shade grown, rainforest blend of coffee from south and central america freshly roasted in Byron bay by Bun coffee.
This unique coffee is grown under the banner of the sustainable agricultural network and is labeled as Rainforest alliance certified. Continuing the environmental conscience, all cups are fully compostable and made from renewable materials.
Co-owner Paola takes the coffee business seriously and is very excited about the expansion. “Our little ‘window’ at the original Nook on the beach has been a brilliant success because we love what we do,” she says.
According to Paola the secret to Nook’s success in tough economic conditions has been its ability to achieve the right balance between three crucial elements.
“To run a successful espresso bar you need good quality, freshly roasted coffee, a capable barista who is passionate about their work and views customers as friends and good equipment that is religiously cared for.”