A LOVE of good coffee and a growing small business profile has led Glenn Wheymouth to open Queanbeyan's newest cafe this week, Piccolo Brew in the RSL Memorial Arcade.
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The Canberra-based business man had previously been operating two coffee vans around the Fyshwick, Queanbeyan and Mitchell region and said a local cafe was the next step in business growth.
"I've been looking for somewhere to expand and set up a commercial kitchen to support other facets of the business- I also run coffee vans as well. So the natural progression was to open a cafe mutually supporting the two styles of retail," Mr Wheymouth said.
"It's also a nice base to conduct staff training and also gives our mobile baristas a place to rotate to and gives everyone a bit of variety in their work."
Located at the former Jewel of India restaurant site, Piccolo Brew offers a range of tasty lunch and snack options including muffins, pies and banana bread, as well as a range of tasty coffees and teas, and lunchtime catering for businesses and corporate functions.
Mr Wheymouth said he'll also be purchasing a roasting machine and introducing a signature coffee blend across his cafe and vans.
"I'm quite particular about my coffee," he said.
"I get very frustrated with coffee that's made and presented at a poor standard, considering it's not the cheapest beverage you can get. It's something where you've invested some money to get a cup of coffee and you need to make sure you're getting a decent return on that."
The business employs two Queanbeyan baristas and is also set to expand later this year, opening a coffee wholesaling arm further up the RSL Memorial Arcade.
There will also be more menu options to come at the cafe shopfront in the coming months, as well as a future breakfast buffet menu.
"At the moment we're still going through a slow process of converting the cafe from what was set up as an Indian Restaurant to a cafe-style business," Mr Wheymouth said.
"The menu will develop as we become established, and we'll be aiming our market at the coffee trade and lunchtime trade, and eventually we'll be open for early morning breakfast in the not-too-distant future as well."
n Visit Piccolo Brew in the RSL Memorial Arcade off Monaro and Crawford streets. Opening hours are 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday-Friday and Saturday mornings.
