With much excitement, we’re looking for expressions of interest from passionate people with big ideas, who are interested in taking on our cafe, bakery and/or retail space and bringing a new local food concept to life.
The space in question is our newly vacant south-east corner - a total blank canvas of 175sqm of floor space (plus storage & kitchens), with its own street access, adjoining our event space, commercial kitchen and with a feature window into the activity of Salisbury Mill.
Since the community purchased the Shed in 2018 we’ve had visions of a cafe, a bakery, a wine bar, a deli-style grocery store, or a combo of all of the above - but we’re leaving it open to the right people chomping at the bit to establish their own dream ventures.
We’re looking for people or organisations with the skills and vision to establish and run the cafe/store/bakery as their own operations, while harmonising with the other 35+ ethical enterprises who call Food Connect Shed home. Legends excited to make their own mark on Brisbane’s food scene with a destination venue, while being part of a vibrant hub and the wider fair food movement.
The Board is open to leasing the entire space to one business, but would really love to see a collaborative arrangement of compatible enterprises working together (e.g. one person curating the retail section, another business taking the bakery and then handing over to a wine bar for the evening). If you don't know anyone to link in with, we can help play matchmaker!
The possibilities are endless, but the resulting business(es) should:
Source locally where possible, championing small, ethical and regenerative producers
Enthusiastically stock & use products from other Food Connect Shed makers
Embrace circular economy principles and methods, aspiring to be a no-to-low waste operation
Have a love of community and collaboration
Share our vision of a fairer, healthier food system for all
Include a both a cafe/hospitality element & retail offering
In return, you’ll benefit from:
Cost-share options for venue fit-out
175 sqm of floor space, with another 50sqm of pantry and mezzanine storage plus fully equipped shared kitchens with cold room of 120sqm.
Support from our team in sourcing high quality ingredients and products, through our extensive networks of farmers, makers and your fellow tenants
Shared resources including forklifts, printer, amenities, pallet storage, cold rooms, freezers and more
Existing foot traffic exposure thanks to our existing tenancies - currently 36 social enterprises and food businesses, plus event space patronage
Support from our 520+ community owners (‘Careholders’) and the wider, highly engaged Food Connect network and media relationships
A welcoming, collaborative environment
Use of the event space (up to 250 guests - management of this space also open to EOI or negotiation)
Ample street parking at night and weekends and beautifully landscaped street verge
Other specs:
Outgoings - $24/sqm used
Utilities as metered monthly or quarterly (building has large solar PV plus battery array)
We stress that this isn’t just a call-out for ideas - we’re looking for people ready to take the reins and make their long-term plan a reality.
Interested?
If you'd like to come and view the space, shoot us an email to book
To throw your hat in the ring, please send a one-pager letting us know about you and your vision for the space.
