The owners of a roadside coffee shop say they are “heartbroken” after being formally issued with a date to shut down.
Busstop Espresso will close today after fighting for months to keep the cafe open, following Noosa Council’s ruling late last year against an application to grant it appropriate licensing.
In a bid to overturn the decision, owners Rob and Beth Noy launched a petition in January that received more than 3000 signatures.
The petition, along with a formal administrative complaint, was submitted to the council.
As a result of the complaint the council conducted an internal review of its processes, essentially putting the brakes on coffee shop’s closure while it was underway.
However, Noosa Council said the review was “not linked” to the council decision and that it would not alter the outcome of the impending closure, as the operator did not file an appeal with Planning and Environment Court within the required period.
Following the review, council informed Busstop Espresso it would be required to cease operating on April 10.
In a statement the Noys said it was a sad decision after three years of providing a place for the community to connect at 201 Mary River Road, just outside Cooroy.
“We are heartbroken. We are very sad for our Busstop community,” the statement read.
“Lots of you are asking where we are going to move to.
“We can’t move. Where we are is a major reason the community visits Busstop Espresso.
“People can sit outside, relax in the fresh air amongst the trees.”
The Noys began operating the stall during the pandemic, serving locally sourced food and beverages from a repurposed 1948 bus on the private property.
“People came because there was room outdoors to socialise safely,” they said.
“The Covid stresses seemed a little less (at) Busstop Espresso.
“Arguably, this is the new norm. Perhaps we all want small community hubs, not just a town centre.”
The Noys have also thanked their team of “young” staff who have “flourished” over the years.
“What a wonderful (three) years of working with a team of young people from our community,” the statement read.
“Each one of them came to us and found their own employment with us. We’ve never had to search for employees.
“(They have) spent their time here then gone on to apprenticeships, university, travel.”
In a previous statement to Sunshine Coast News, Noosa Council said that while it supported the idea of Busstop Espresso, its location was inconsistent with the Noosa Plan 2020.
At the time, Noosa Council CEO Larry Sengstock said council had acknowledged the strong community connection the Noys had created with the roadside stall since its opening.
“This was a difficult and for some an unpopular decision, however council continues to have a consistent approach to adhering to its existing regulations in the planning scheme,” Mr Sengstock said in February.
Noosa Council also said staff had worked with the owners to explore suitable alternative sites to continue the business.
However, the Noys said a location “in town” would not fit the concept of the business.
“Public areas require a tendering process, so any suggestion is not assured,” they said.
“Suggestions have to be financially viable for us to survive. Going into town doesn’t support the community hub concept.”
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