By Dominique Tassell
Stanthorpe cafes have taken drastic action in the face of the vaccine mandate, with some changing their business models while others close for the foreseeable future.
Kristy O’Brien from Brinx Deli and Café made the decision to operate as a takeaway only venue after the mandate came into effect.
“I didn’t really want to discriminate against anyone, especially in a small town,” she said.
Kristy said it just wouldn’t feel right to only open to some of the community.
She wrote online that “here at Brinx we love all our customers equally and we hope you will continue to support us as we move into this hopefully short lived phase of running our deli/café”.
Kristy said a takeaway model was thankfully viable for her business, as they have the deli attached to the café as well.
Brinx Deli and Café’s whole menu is available for takeaway and will be providing takeaway platter boxes as well as gelato, ice cream, sorbet, and coffee.
Kristy said she was concerned about ensuring her staff had the same amount of hours to work and considered this when making her decision.
Brinx Deli and Café will be extending their opening hours as well, opening from 7 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 7 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kristy said her decision has been met with a good response from locals.
“Most people have been really really lovely,” she said.
She said locals have gone out of their way to stop at the takeaway window and encourage them.
Kristy said “it wouldn’t sit well” with her to serve only part of the community.
“I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night that I’d made someone feel inadequate,” she said.
“It’s a nice feeling to welcome everyone.”
Brinx Deli and Café is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen on 5 January.
Em’s Café has also decided to move to a takeaway only model, with Emma McConville stating it was “for the simple fact that I don’t want to discriminate”.
Emma says she’s only been in business for six or seven months, but the community has been hugely supportive during this time.
The cafe is right next to the Piazza in town, conveniently meaning locals can grab their takeaway and have somewhere to sit that complies with the mandate.
Em’s Cafe is also doing deliveries to the main street for no extra cost.
In their Facebook announcement, Emma stated that “until we can welcome all customers into our cafe to dine-in, we will not be doing dine-ins”.
“We are all equal human beings and we do not discriminate.”
Em’s Cafe will be closed on New Years Day and the day after.
Commercial Coffee Stop has closed for the foreseeable future.
Ash Johnson from Commercial Coffee Stop said, as a sole operator, he doesn’t see how he can check everyone who comes into the store’s vaccine status.
While he initially announced on Instagram that he would be doing catering, he has now decided he is unable to do this.
Queensland today reported 784 new cases of Covid-19. The Southern Downs region has 16 cases.
Two of these cases are overseas acquired, with another two locally acquired with contacts known. Another 12 cases are currently under investigation.
The government is no longer releasing or confirming details on where in the region cases are. They are releasing exposure sites, however none are currently listed in the region.
