A father who swapped the construction industry for a specialist food business has received an overwhelming welcome at his first Sunshine Coast store.
Bagel Bros has opened at 1 Moreton Parade, Kings Beach, with owner Matthew Stephen moving from tiling into hospitality after relocating from Brisbane to Pelican Waters earlier this year.
Mr Stephen said he wanted to leave the construction industry because it could be “hot and cold” and build something with more long-term potential for his family.
He had previously owned cafes and said his two children were part of the reason he decided to return to hospitality.
“I want to build something that the kids can sort of take over,” he said.
Mr Stephen settled on bagels after noticing there were relatively few specialist options locally.
He spent several months visiting businesses and trying different products before deciding to open the shop.
The site itself came about unexpectedly. Mr Stephen said he was passing the Moreton Parade premises when he saw a real estate agent there.
“He was actually there to put a sign on the front door for a lease, so I grabbed the application paperwork off him straight away,” he said.
Mr Stephen said specialising in bagels also felt different from operating a general cafe, with customers often seeking them out as a particular food.
About 900 bagels were sold during the shop’s first seven days, which was more than he had expected. Some customers also returned several times within days of opening.
The bagels are supplied by Bagel Boys, a Brisbane business with outlets at university campuses, and are boiled at its Bulimba factory before being transported to the Coast and baked on site at Bagel Bros.
Customers can choose from varieties including plain, onion, blueberry, sesame seed, ‘everything’ (various seeds) and a plain gluten-free option, with fillings added separately.
The breakfast bagel, with bacon, egg, rocket, cheese and chutney, has been the biggest seller. Other menu options include smoked salmon with cream cheese and red onion; pesto chicken; and buffalo chicken.
The shop also serves coffee roasted on the Sunshine Coast under its own brand and plans to add cakes and slices from a local supplier.
Mr Stephen employs five people, while his 15-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter also help at weekends.
Online discussion about the new shop included speculation it was part of a larger network of stores, prompting Mr Stephen to set the record straight on social media.
“I wanted people to realise it was a dad and kids that were building Bagel Bros, not some corporate chain,” he said.
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Mr Stephen said the response from local customers had been one of the more unexpected parts of opening, with people wishing the family well and offering practical help when supplies ran short.
“I had some locals bring in extra punnets of strawberries for me,” he said.
“I just didn’t expect such a generous welcome, it’s been amazing.”
Bagel Bros is open seven days a week from 6.30am to about 2pm, subject to stock availability.
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