Queens Wharf announcement
After lengthy consideration, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced yesterday afternoon that Destination Brisbane Consortium has won the bid to redevelop Brisbane City’s Queens Wharf precinct. Made up of Echo Entertainment Group, Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, Destination Brisbane won the bid over James Packer’s Crown Resorts, mainly due to the large inclusion of public space and key architectural elements of the proposal, as well as the consortium’s ability to demonstrate to the government that it is ready and stable financially. The development will see a full transformation of the riverside precinct, with the inclusion of heritage buildings, unused waterfront space and under-utilised government buildings, and construction is expected to commence in 2017. Take a look at our proposal comparison for a comprehensive breakdown of Destination Brisbane’s offering.

Fonzie Abbott Fox Street Roastery
Saturday August 1 marks four years since Fonzie Abbott Coffee Roasters entered the Brisbane coffee scene, and is also the day the team will be officially opening the gates of its Fox Street Roastery in Albion to the public. To celebrate, Fonzie Abbott is planning a full-day opening/birthday event, kicking off at 7:00 am. The Doughnut Bar will be swinging by in its kombi to dish out delectable doughnuts, the roastery’s resident barista/DJ will be spinning tunes, and the Fonzie Abbott crew will be handing out free small coffees throughout the day. Ellaspede in West End will also be holding a cafe racer bike ride, starting at Ellaspede headquarters and ending at the Fox Street Roastery. Look out for more details on the opening in next week’s issue of The Weekend Edition.

The Humble Quinoa
Indooroopilly residents will soon have a coverall destination for cold meats and coffee when The Humble Quinoa opens on Lambert Road. This cafe and delicatessen hybrid will offer dine-in and takeaway options, with patrons encouraged to browse the wares on offer as their meal is prepared. The deli will stock an ample range of goods such as prosciutto, salami, sausages, olives and preserved lemons, while the cafe will offer a breakfast and lunch menu boasting meals such as braised wagyu beef brisket burgers and Vietnamese baked chicken wings. Foodies on the move can grab fresh rolls and sandwiches to go, as well as juices, smoothies and Vittoria coffee. Expect The Humble Quinoa to hold a soft opening in mid-August.

Red Deer Music and Arts Festival
After a one-year hiatus, Brisbane’s Red Deer Music and Arts Festival is set to return in 2015. Mark Saturday October 3 in your diaries and start stocking up on your drinks and seats of choice for this boutique, BYO camping festival. Located in Samford Valley beneath the D’Aguilar Range, this year’s event will welcome headliners Frenzal Rhomb, as well as Andy Bull, Salmonella Dub Soundsystem, Hey Geronimo, Ayla, Mosman Alder, WAAX and Cheap Fakes. Two main stages will be complemented by a brand-new Jungle Bar chill-out space up the hill. Find more information and Facebook updates online.

Brisbane’s newest suburban cafes
It is a renaissance period for the humble suburban cafe as demand for local eateries rises and supply increases to match. Two cafes will be opening in Nundah this week – Como Espresso is opening its doors today, serving half-priced coffee all week as well as cakes, pastries and salads, followed by the opening of Fuel & Co espresso and wine bar from 7:00 am on Wednesday. Fuel & Co will be serving breakfast and lunch upon opening, followed by share-plate dinners and liquor service in the near future. Last Thursday saw the sneaky start of trading for Charlie Cools in West End. The hole-in-the-wall cafe caters to locals on the move and stocks Bear Bones Espresso and sweet treats from Zoe’s Brownies. Wavell Heights welcomes Cafe Noma to the area this week, Nomad Espresso Bar in Carina opened at the end of June, and Sam Thaiday and Andrew McCullogh have teamed up with Ben Raymond to open Drinc Cafe. Formerly known as Shucked Cafe, Drinc is a hybrid venue that is a cafe by day and a function space by night. Check The Weekend Edition on Thursday for a closer look at some of these new spots.

Living Edge
Australian furniture and lighting retailer Living Edge is on the move in Brisbane. Its showroom at 324 Wickham Street will be clearing stock this week before it closes on Saturday July 25 and a pop-up concept store opens next Monday July 27. The temporary store will take over the former residence of Greenhouse at Shop 11, 46 James Street in Fortitude Valley, trading seven days a week for at least three months.

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