Long before Wynnum emerged as a suburb to watch, Mali Hannun was putting in work. The former schoolteacher-turned-hospitality maverick opened casual wine bar and tapas joint Cedar & Pine on Bay Terrace in 2015. It was one of the first venues of its kind to open in the suburb, quickly becoming (and remaining) one of the bayside’s most-beloved boozers. Though she continued to champion the waterfront hub as it flourished and its hospitality offering deepened, Mali never thought to contribute more herself, despite Cedar & Pine’s licence allowing for the addition of three bottle shops. “I always had it in my head that you had to be a big conglomerate of men to be able to run a bottle shop,” says Mali, who initially believed expansion was beyond her capabilities. “I though I’d just keep my bar running and making a success out of that, and then maybe when someone buys the licence they can start those bottle shops.” Well, as you can probably guess, Mali changed her mind. After spying a vacant space on Fox Street (across the road from Adelita Wine Bar), Mali decided to put her uncertainties aside and funnel her creative spirit into Little Cedar Store – brand-new boutique bottle shop and provisions resource that is, like its pint-pouring sibling, a first of its kind in Wynnum.

A number of research trips up and down the east coast opened Mali’s eyes to the potential of bespoke bottle shops – spots that are more than just places to pick up some plonk, but also gift stores and providores. Fuse this with Mali’s own infectious warmth and Cedar & Pine’s community-minded ethos, and Little Cedar Store’s conceptual foundation quickly solidified. Eventually Mali crossed paths with Ian Mackay, who vibed with Mali’s vision and agreed to consult on Little Cedar’s range and help establish it into a must-visit destination for oenophiles and gourmands. “Mali wanted to create something that was unique,” says Ian. “I think that’s a pretty easy starting point, from my point of view, because unique is just what isn’t around Wynnum – I wanted to find things that would work well in this area, but also a place where you can get gifts and you can have nice nights.” Little Cedar Store’s shelves stock a vast assortment of wines – an equal mix of Australian and international makers – from the accessible easy-drinking $20 bottles to rarer cellar-worthy finds. Though diverse, each of Little Cedar’s 1100 wines have been selected with intention – most have a story behind them and all of them resonate on some level with Mali and Ian. This extends to the non-wine options, such as locally brewed beers, Australian spirits and zero-alcohol beverages that boast an artisanal bent. “I want it to be the version of Cedar & Pine that you take home,” says Mali. “The specialness of Cedar & Pine is intrinsic here.” Beyond booze, Little Cedar stocks a range of curated smallgoods, cheeses and chocolates, with curated picnic hire service available for those eager to take in the nearby natural splendour. Little Cedar will also host special sommelier-guided tasting events and private-dining experiences, adding more opportunities for discovery.

Little Cedar Store is now open to the public. For operating hours and contact details, head to the Stumble Guide.