It is little known that today, 91% of Sydney’s café industry is actually independently owned. Despite an overbearing presence of national and international giants of the likes of Gloria Jeans, Starbucks and The Coffee Club, 45% of shoppers now spend more with local businesses than they did 12 years ago.
Australia’s carbon copied city centres have taken a harder hit to many small businesses in other industries; however Sydney’s love for café culture, quality ingredients, organic ambiance and hand-crafted coffee has led food and beverage independents such as Mooberry Dessert & Breakfast Bar, Brewtown Newtown, and The Tuckshop to flourish.
Fonder of Mooberry Dessert& Breakfast Bar, John X, says, “Sydney is a playground of opportunity to the budding café owner. If you are passionate about quality products, genuine service and offering something a little unconventional, the right market is there to win over.”
Unlike the nimble small business, it is not unusual for larger retailers to follow protocol on menu items and service, led from a corporate office away from the shop floor. Boutique retailers have a greater freedom to use fresher ingredients sourced from local suppliers, react to trends, and keep in touch with customer preferences as well as the wider community.
John X adds, “We take great pride to help stimulate local economies through supporting local suppliers, and employing and training local youth. Mooberry offers mates rates to school children, university students, gym members and other local shop workers. Collaborating with our fellow independents too, is a sure fire way to unite against stiff corporate competition.”
The market has spoken. Sydney consumers are on the hunt for quality, hearty and genuine hangouts, and independents are certainly popping up over the city to meet this need.
Right on, Sydney.
