A Sunshine Coast distillery now stocked in the Qantas Brisbane Business Lounge has grown from humble beginnings at the Eumundi Markets into a national success story.
The business behind Montville Dry Gin began after a 35-year military career, with Twelve and a Half Acres founder Andrew Lancaster building a distillery from the ground up on his hinterland property.
“You can spend a lot of time developing a product, but until you put it in front of people, you don’t really know how it will land,” Mr Lancaster said.
“The markets give you that immediate feedback. You see what people respond to, you adjust, and you keep improving.”
Mr Lancaster said having a place to test and refine an idea made a tangible difference in the early stages of building a business.
“I wanted to create something practical, something people genuinely enjoy,” he said.
“Having that direct connection with customers gives you the confidence to keep going.”
As Queensland celebrates Small Business Month in May, Experience Eumundi is highlighting the critical role the iconic Eumundi Markets play in launching and growing small businesses, with new research confirming their status as one of the region’s most significant business incubators.
Experience Eumundi general manager Mark Cameron said the markets have long provided a practical pathway for emerging businesses to move from concept to customer.
“Every business starts somewhere, and for many, that first step is the hardest,” Mr Cameron said.
“What makes the Eumundi Markets different is that they give people a real-world environment to test an idea, refine a product and build confidence, all while connecting directly with customers.”
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While widely recognised as one of the Sunshine Coast’s most visited attractions, the Eumundi Markets also function as a working hub for small business, supporting around 600 stallholders and providing a direct entry point into the visitor economy.
Independent research shows the markets are not only a major tourism drawcard, but a critical platform for micro and small businesses, offering regular access to high foot traffic, immediate customer feedback and the ability to scale over time.
Mr Cameron said this combination of consistency and access is what made the markets such a valuable launchpad.
“You’re not waiting months to see if something works – you’re getting immediate feedback twice a week,” he said.
“That ability to adapt quickly is what helps businesses grow, and it’s why so many start their journey here.”
The research also highlights the broader economic role of the markets, generating $54 million in annual visitor expenditure, attracting around 1.2 million visitors each year and supporting more than 1000 jobs across the region.
Mr Cameron said supporting small business remained central to the markets’ future.
“Small businesses are the backbone of regional communities, and they need environments that allow them to try, learn and grow,” he said.
“The Eumundi Markets have been doing that for decades – and that role is only becoming more important.”
