Ballina-born specialty coffee roaster Old Quarter Coffee Merchants has opened its first Gold Coast outpost
From humble beginnings in a Ballina shed – that served as both roastery and coffee bar – Old Quarter Coffee Merchants has been on a mission to do good, one cup of coffee at a time. Envisioned by Amelia Hicks and Yosir ‘Yose’ Le Cerf as part social enterprise, part specialty roaster, Old Quarter was born from a deep desire to connect communities through coffee and deliver a morning ritual that not only tastes good, but feels good and does good, too. It’s been a big couple of years for the pair, opening a Murwillumbah outpost in October last year, and just last week, they’ve opened the doors to a hole-in-the-wall spot in Southport.
While it’s not uncommon to find coffee beans with accompanying tasting notes that offer detailed descriptions of flavour profiles and the origin of the beans, it’s far less common to be greeted by the smiling faces of the farmers. That’s just one of the ways Old Quarter Coffee Merchants is doing things a little differently. Amelia and Yosir have spent the past eight years cultivating relationships with their coffee partners in Southeast Asia, in particular Vietnam, and reinvesting in them.
Their Langbiang ‘Roads Less Travelled’ series is a nod to the people behind the beans, people like Pat and Tam, who have worked with Amelia and Yosir since the beginning. Through secure and ongoing investment, Pat and Tam have been able to grow their business and experiment with different processes and micro-lots to continue developing new and exciting flavours that capture the essence of Langbiang. “We’re just so proud of them,” Amelia says. “It’s just an honour to be able to work with them and visit them.”
You’ll find Old Quarter’s ‘Roads Less Travelled’ series as batch brews, alongside multiple espresso options for both milk and black brews. You needn’t know the ins and outs of beans or growing regions to enjoy a coffee here, but for those who are interested in learning, the team is only too happy to offer some gentle guidance. The way Amelia explains it, it’s like a cellar door experience, but for coffee.
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“You get to try different varieties that are processed in different ways and brewed in different ways. [You can] find what you love. Our knowledgeable team can then help you get the right coffee for home,” Amelia says, before ushering to the retail line, which is filled with Old Quarter’s range of beans and alternative brewing methods such as AeroPress and V60s.
The new Southport outpost, which you’ll find on Stevens Street, is intentionally minimalist, with a sign on the front window that warmly greets customers with ‘welcome to the home of daily happy’. And it’s hard not to be happy when you’re sipping a well-made coffee. There’s a scattering of low-set stools to perch on while you wait, alongside a pastry cabinet filled with moreish morsels from Well Bread & Pastry and a fridge filled with Oat Cups and Old Quarter’s own cold-pressed organic juices. Rounding out the offering are the venue’s insanely popular cold brews, which we’re told will hero a soon-to-drop selection of specialty iced beverages. Amelia and Yosir also have plans for coffee-centric events, including cupping classes and industry events such as latte-art smackdowns.
Head to the Directory for additional details.