CAFE PARTNERS: Buoy Oh Buoy

LOCATION

OPEN SINCE

OWNERS

BLACKBOARD BREW

1. How did Buoy Oh Buoy start?

Ryan and I (well mostly I) used to daydream about owning our own cafe up our end of town. One day I noticed that a pool shop tenancy had come up for lease. It was away from the main Paradise Point strip, which was a key selling point for us. I mentioned it to Ryan, certain he was going to brush it off. 48 hours later, Ryan surprised me by bringing home a basic business budget/forecast. We asked my brother and sister-in-law if they were keen, and the rest is history.

2. Why did you choose Blackboard Coffee?

We never gave any other coffee supplier a look in. I personally didn’t drink coffee until I discovered Blackboard in Varsity back in their early days. They converted me to coffee! The first phone call I made after seeing Ryan’s draft business document was to Nick asking hypothetically if we were to open a cafe, would he supply us beans.

3. What is the best part about owning/operating Buoy Oh Buoy?

The best part of having a cafe is 100% the people. The staff who have worked for us have basically become extended family. And our customer base is truly wonderful - most of whom we now consider friends. Also having coffee on tap is a perk too.

4. To combat these current times how have you adapted your business?

We’re fortunate that the transition to takeaway has been quite seamless for us. Our menu has always been designed for takeaway and our business marketed as good coffee + quick bites. Also very important to our viability at the moment is the enormous community support we have. We count ourselves very lucky in that aspect. 

@buoy.oh.buoy | www.buoyohbuoy.com.au/