Let the sun shine in – cosy cafe and retail store Sunroom lights up Newstead Studios
If there’s one thing we have collectively learnt this year, it’s the importance of looking after your local. Whether it be picking up your daily brew from the cafe on the corner, heading to your nearest farmers market on Sunday morning, or buying artistic gems from local creatives – throwing your support behind homegrown businesses is vital, now more than ever. Newstead Studios owners Cass and Sam Thies know this all too well, and want to do their part to help local makers and brands. The pair has taken over the nook previously occupied by Loaded Food Co. to launch their own project within the converted warehouse space, which combines quality coffee, brunch bites and a carefully curated collection of locally made goodies. Draw back the shades, bask in the rays and say hello to Newstead’s newest cafe and retail store, Sunroom.
This year has thrown a spanner in the works for many, with the hospitality and arts industry taking a particularly hard hit. After COVID forced the closure of one of Newstead Studios’ tenants, owners Cass and Sam Thies decided to do their part to help keep the heart of the hub ticking – and help bolster the creative industry at the same time. Thus, like a beautiful glowing star, Sunroom was born. The space has undergone a refreshing refurbishment, with natural light drenching a central communal table and the walls decorated with works from Newstead Studios’ resident photographers. It’s in this light-filled space where caffeine sippers can sit back, relax and soak in the sunshine with a brew in hand.
The cafe is slinging Blacklab specialty coffee bright and early alongside a mouth-watering selection of fresh pastries (hello, almond croissants), gourmet sandwiches and bagels. On the creative side, Sunroom will stock a selection of books, homewares, fragrances and prints personally curated by Cass and Sam. All of the brands stocked are Australian, half of which have been weaved into the Newstead Studios journey in some way – whether through a product launch, creative workshop or photoshoot within the light-drenched space. So remember to bring along that Christmas wish-list, and see if you can start ticking some gifts off.
Sunroom opened Wednesday November 11. To celebrate its opening, the crew is giving away free coffees this Friday November 13 and Saturday November 14. Make sure you check out the Stumble Guide for further details.
Image seven credit: Grace Smith
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
