Since causing a stir with her heart-shaped treats at local Brisbane markets, I Heart Brownies founder Lulu Purnell has always had her thoughts on the next step. After securing her first bricks-and-mortar kitchen and kiosk space in Bakery Lane back in 2015, Lulu started expanding I Heart Brownies’ online and wholesale arms before demand caught up with her once again. A few years back she opened up a kiosk in the Wintergarden and took over the neighbouring tenancy in Bakery Lane to secure more space for her operations, but soon enough she was on the lookout for another home, having outgrown Bakery Lane’s limitations. Now, Lulu has found her forever home in Bowen Hills, in a charming corner location that once housed Destresso Coffe Bar.

The space has undergone a significant face-lift, with the coffee counter and cafe space sitting where the previous tenant’s kitchen once stood. Lulu and her team have gone to great lengths to imbue the spot with a charming retro feel, with vintage milk bar aesthetics, a pastel pink colour scheme and homage to iconic flick Grease making the nook a comfortable space to inhabit. The larger kitchen and storage space allows Lulu to expand her baking output, with the new bakery capable of pumping out between four to five-thousand brownies in a day, with Lulu  ardently committed to maintaining the high level of quality across the range. Those that pop in can get their fix of I Heart Brownies’ iconic flavour range, but can also pair their choice with a milkshake, lemonade mocktail, coffee or a sundae made with hand-crafted ice-cream.

The coming months will see Lulu offer gluten-free baking classes in the Bowen Hills kitchen, where attendees will be taught the baking basics and recipes for a few tasty treats. Not the brownie recipe, though – that’s still Lulu’s secret! Find out more details in the Stumble Guide.