When Sonya and Tony left their cheesecake shop in Melbourne for a more relaxed life on the Sunshine Coast, they had just three criteria for their next business venture: be profitable, be fun, and serve great coffee.
Taking over a tiny space in the heart of Peregian Springs, the duo decided to keep things simple and serve one hero blend from Campos Coffee.
“We only have space for one grinder, so we decided to do one thing and do it well. We use Campos’ Superior blend because everyone loves its creaminess and caramel notes. We tried other coffees but we just kept coming back to Campos,” says Tony.
A short-but-sweet menu complements the espresso-based coffee. The Coco Cantina Co team make smoothies, cold-press juices, açai bowls, and salads from scratch each morning.
“We wanted to offer something healthy but delicious,” says Sonya. “We’ve always loved açai bowls but couldn’t find any authentic Brazilian açai when we moved here and knew we could create something extra special for the locals. They’re what we’re known for now and people travel 30 to 40 minutes just to get one.”
The menu inspired the café name Coco Cantina Co, which features coconut in around 80 per cent of its smoothies and bowls. It’s also a nod to the tropical vibe Sonya and Tony wanted to channel.
Opening in the height of the pandemic, the café quickly became a community hub for the people of Peregian Springs.
“We’re social butterflies so connecting with our community was a really important part of establishing the café,” says Sonya.
“Great customer service is crucial to us and something we’ve always prided ourselves on. By the time we close we’re exhausted from chatting all day, but our number one priority is ensuring every cup of coffee is made with love.”
Coco Cantina Co
Shop 1a, 1 Ridgeview Drive, Peregian Springs Shopping Centre, Queensland, 4573
Open Monday to Friday 5.30am to 4pm, Saturday to Sunday 6am to 2pm
This article appears in the April 2024 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
