When Andrea Cerioli began exploring Noosa after moving to Queensland in 2017, he saw the opportunity to make an impact on the Sunshine Coast with a new business venture.
“We were looking for a business that could lead us to relocate up on the coast,” he says.
Andrea, originally from Italy, first arrived in Australia in 2014, working at cafés in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
“That’s where I learned how to make coffee, so I’ve got plenty of good memories there,” he says. “It’s also where I met my partner.”
Fast forward six years, and Andrea, along with his partner Loren, opened their first café together, Noosa Social, in January 2020. This brought great excitement as well as concern during the turbulent period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this time, we were able to become more popular with the locals,” he says.
“The Sunshine Coast has plenty of people who have come from bigger cities, so the local population is growing, which has helped us during the quieter times.”
The foot traffic has allowed Noosa Social to become a popular local breakfast and coffee location, with outdoor seating that lets customers bask in the Queensland sun.
“We’re a family service that’s always up for a chat,” Andrea says.
“The beach is also only 100 metres away, so there’s always time for a swim after work.”
Noosa Social has entered a new partnership with Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters, which Andrea says has been a great decision for the business.
“The people [from Toby’s Estate] come and see us regularly, and they’ve helped me install new machines, as well as go through new recipes and cold brew techniques,” he says. “I think it’s going to be a good relationship moving forward.”
Noosa Social uses the Woolloomooloo blend for its house blend, while also experimenting with Toby’s Estate’s single origin coffees.
In the morning, the café offers a range of breakfast items. The eggs benedict with homemade hollandaise sauce is a favourite.
At night, the café transforms into a wine bar, offering live outdoor music by the beach. Andrea says the location has proved a hit with customers.
Seeing the business grow has been a rewarding experience for Andrea, who looks forward to incorporating new ideas intothe future.
“[Noosa Social] is like our baby, and it’s always growing,” he says.
Noosa Social Espresso and Wine Bar
2/62 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Queensland, 4567
Open Monday to Wednesday 6:30am – 2pm, Thursday and Sunday 6:30am – 7pm, Friday 6:30am – 7:30pm, and Saturday 6:30am – 8:30pm
This article appears in the December 2023 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
