Stafford Archives - Page 5 of 6

Stafford’s Sweetheart Confectionery Announces Retirement And Search For New Owners

After more than 20 years of running Sweetheart Confectionery in Stafford, the owners have decided to retire and are seeking new owners to take over the business.

Read: The Creative Collective Brisbane In Search Of New Owner

The owners of the confectionery store took to social media to announce their retirement and that they are actively seeking a quick handover of their business. They also shared that a new lease is available to take over, with the stock included.

“Sadly we are letting go of our iconic store, in The Stafford City Shopping Centre, opposite The Hoyts Theatres, Stafford,” the post reads.

Photo credit: Sweetheart Confectionery/Facebook

In response to the announcement of the owners’ retirement, customers have been sharing their memories and expressing their appreciation for the products and services provided by the candy shop through the years.

“Sad news for me! I have enjoyed the sweet treats and lovely service ever since you opened. Wishing you a happy and enjoyable retirement. You’ve earned it!” one wrote.

“This was my favourite place to go growing up,” another one commented.

“Been coming in since I was 7, will be a sad day, but hopefully the new owners keep the sweet in the heart and continue the tradition.”

Since the early 2000s, the shop has been a go-to spot for those looking for a diverse selection of sweets and snacks, including cereals, lollies, and chocolates.

Read: Kedron’s Top Taste Bakery Site For Rezoning to Allow Residential Developments

The owners of the beloved lolly store have displayed a sign in the store expressing gratitude to their faithful customers for their support throughout the years.

Sweetheart Confectionery will be open for business until April 2023, allowing customers to continue enjoying their products until then.

The shop operates daily at Shop E11 of Stafford City Shopping Centre.

Published 14-April-2023

Community Launches Campaign to Regain Stafford Bowls Club

Concerned locals are planning to regain community ownership and use of the Stafford Bowls Club after its lease was transferred, allegedly without proper consultation, to the Brisbane Racing Club.

On Facebook, about 70 locals formed the “Stafford Community Hub not Race Club” to work on cancelling the lease granted to the commercial racing club. The group also created an online petition for the same purpose.

Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) apparently plans to refurbish Stafford Bowls Club with a new dining area, a cafe, a sports bar, and a gaming room with 80 pokies. The design and details have yet to be released.

But Anna, one of the more active members of the group, said that the Stafford and Kedron communities do not want the bowls club to become a commercial entity, citing that the locals would greatly benefit from a hub similar to Grange or the revitalised Moorooka Bowls Club.

The Stafford Bowls Club has been closed since 2016 and residents have waited for the site’s redevelopment into a family-friendly hub. Crushers Leagues Club lodged a development application for this redevelopment and even secured a 20-year lease extension in 2019.

However, Crushers Leagues Club could not proceed with the lease due to its licensing issues. Thus, Council apparently decided to turn over the lease to BRC “without debate, and without community support or input,” the petition stated.

“The community was not privy to the decision, nor consulted on what they would like or need for their community.”

As part of their campaign, the Stafford Community Hub not Race Club will gather at Gibson Park on Sunday, the 18th of December 2022 at 10:30 a.m., to discuss their visions for the community. A fundraiser has also been opened to help with the campaign.

Stafford Tavern Lodges Major Redevelopment Plans

Stafford Tavern, located on Webster and Billabong Roads, is gearing up for a major redevelopment that will include a new gaming lounge and modern upgrades to elevate its status as a four-star motel.

Sun Tavern Pty Ltd lodged DA A006052304 in July 2022, outlining plans for a massive makeover that will take place in two stages. The plans include the demolition of the current outdoor dining spot and garden area to create a new outdoor space and the gaming lounge with a bar.

The current gaming lounge will be transformed into function rooms, albeit temporarily until the second stage of construction.

The owners of Stafford want a stylish facade and a bigger landscaped outdoor courtyard for the hotel guests. The old playground for the children will be near the courtyard so parents can conveniently watch over their kids.

During the pre-lodgement meetings with Council, Sun Tavern Pty Ltd enumerated the expected works that will take place at the Stafford Tavern:

Stage 1:

The building is developed to increase operational flexibility on existing services, while making way for future ‘new’ amenity.
New gaming and gaming lounge area (including amenities) are developed on the Webster Road flank of the building.
Ex-gaming area is converted into a temporary function space.
Portions of the East side carpark are redeveloped for increased parking numbers.
The North-side flank of the site is converted into landscaped/covered external breakout
area for Hotel patrons.
Scale of works is commensurate with the scale of the existing building Architecture to emphasise greater relationship of inside/outside participation in
landscape environment

Stage 2:

The Stage 1 ex-gaming space (converted to function) is demolished to create a new motel Lobby
Three levels of accommodation of ‘4-star’ quality is developed over and along the south side of the tavern building complex, including the provision of increased car parking provision, porte-cochere for the motel and a slip lane to maintain bottle shop drive-thru.
Development is maintained within existing property boundaries and with no proposed alteration to site ingress or egress.
The scale of the accommodation building is no greater than 15 meters height above the natural ground line.
Orientation of long axis of the accommodation building in the north/south to minimise heat load on the building.

The hotel plans include adding 43 rooms across three levels, which will be built in the southern side of the property. Stafford Tavern will also have a rooftop space with a bar lounge, a terrace, and an indoor meeting room.

DA A006052304 is on public notification until the 7th of December 2022.

Here’s The Story Behind Stafford’s Unique Fig Tree

Hayward St’s urban jungle-themed laneway (Photo credit: Robert Garvey/Google Maps)

Todaym the tree blends in beautifully with the laneway’s ‘urban jungle’ theme. Adrian even placed some solar lights among the branches of the tree, which when lit, makes for a captivating sight at night.

Because of Adrian’s tender loving care, the tree has flourished and is now a neighbourhood attraction at Hayward Street.

You can find a lot of street art throughout the city, but Adrian’s ‘masterpiece’ is one of the most unique ones, a ‘living mural’ serving as a great example of street art fusing with nature.

Here’s a Progress Update on the Shand Street Park Upgrades

Upgrades and improvements at Shand Street Park in Stafford are on track despite wet weather interruptions and a brief holiday break. Some facilities will still remain closed during the construction phase but residents will be able to enjoy the outcome in due time.

Once completed, Shand Street Park will have improved surfacing for the skate half pipe, a new path linking the bikeway to the scooter/skate facilities, as well as an extended car park for visitors.

A picnic shelter will also be installed near the basketball court whilst a flora and fauna trail will be added to the area to educate visitors on the park’s natural surroundings.

The Shand Street Park construction started in July 2021 with the closure of the basketball court and skate half pipe. The dog off-leash park and the car park are still open but by early 2022, the latter will be closed for upgrades. Timings for closures of these recreational facilities will be provided on signs throughout the park.

Council has suggested alternative facilities for the locals during this temporary closure, such as the Stafford skate park at Webster Road Park, the Ashgrove skate facility at Dorrington Park, and the Multi-Use Games Area at Grinstead Park.

“This project is one of the ways the Schrinner Council is investing in creating more to see and do outdoors for families with children of all ages in our local area,” Cr Tracy Davis said.

“This will also complement the learn-to-ride facility and the upgraded playground & picnic area which is just a short bike ride away via the Kedron Brook bikeway at Grinstead Park, Alderley.”

The improved park is expected to be open in early 2022.

Plans Lodged for a 24-hour Medical Centre in Busy Stafford Intersection

A car sales yard along the intersection of Stafford and Webster Roads could be replaced by a 24-hour medical centre if a development application from Ethos Urban receives the green light.

The planned site, spanning 3,803 square metres, will become the home of a new two-storey facility that will accommodate tenancies for 15 general practitioners and 78 underground car parking spaces. It will be open to Brisbane north residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The development application (DA A005697853), filed with Council in April 2021, seeks to demolish and turn the car yard into a commercial site as well, providing wide-ranging allied health services for the community.

24-hour Medical Centre — Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC

Ethos Urban outlined in its application that the site is in a prominent location, which will be crucial to running a successful facility. The developers said that based on their research, this local area needs more medical clinics as it’s below the Queensland benchmark for GP providers per 10,000 people.

“The proposal is consistent with the character of the locality and community expectations for the site and is responsive to local community needs. It represents a high-quality architectural design that protects the amenity of nearby residential uses through good design, extensive landscaping and noise mitigation measures,” the planners stated.

Whilst there are at least two medical centres nearby, such as the Stafford City Doctors and the Stafford Rd Medical Practice, there is no 24-hour medical centre in the area.

Council is still assessing the application and is awaiting the submission of the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) report, which should be ready by September 2021.

Council Urged to Find New Site for Stafford Skate Centre

Brisbane’s roller-skating community is calling on Council to find a new site for the Stafford Skate Centre after the lease for the privately-owned building, which has been the home of the rink for over four decades, was not renewed.

In a statement on Facebook, the former operator Rob Carter said that it was time for his family to “hang up the skates” as he looks forward to his retirement. Reports cited that the building owners are looking to turn the building into a World Gym, targetting a redevelopment date for September 2021.

Following the announcement, locals have expressed devastation as one of the last skating rinks in Brisbane could displace a growing skating community. Children between the ages of five to 15, who play inline hockey, speed skating, artistic skating, and roller hockey, will no longer have a safe indoor rink that protects them from the sun and road traffic.

The closest skating rinks, found in Albany Creek and Browns Plains, might not also be able to accommodate the number of skaters that frequent the Stafford Skate Centre. Meanwhile, Stafford has an abundance of gym facilities.

Stafford locals have set up a petition to save the skating rink and nearly 4,000 have signed their support, as of press time. Councillor Fiona Hammond also opened her office for the community to discuss potential new locations with her.

Some residents suggested that Council must consider an outdoor park with more undercover areas so people can still skate and exercise when it’s hot or raining.

The skating centre first opened its doors in 1972 and Mr Carter used to work as a skating coach before he took over the lease in 1981. Mr Carter said he’s the first to be devastated by the closure but he understood the business decision made by the building owners. As per his lease agreement, the Stafford Skate Centre will close after 12 Sept 2021.

New Restaurant Oh Boy, Bok Choy! to Open in Stafford

Brisbane’s northside is about to get another addition to its diverse cuisine as a new Southeast Asian restaurant — Oh Boy, Bok Choy! — featuring a wonderful blend of sweet, sour and spicy flavours, is setting its big opening in Stafford.

Oh Boy, Bok Choy! comes from the same team behind Farm House in Kedron. Owners John and Amanda Scott announced their plans to open the new restaurant as an offshoot of Farm House’s “lockdown specials” during the pandemic.

“It is going to be a Southeast Asian Kitchen & Bar with half the menu plant-based, gluten-free and with sauces and bao made from scratch,” the owners revealed to their regular Kedron patrons in a Facebook post.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Oh Boy Bok Choy (@ohboybokchoy)

Whilst Oh Boy, Bok Choy! will offer mostly Vietnamese dishes, there will also be food inspired by Filipino and Malaysian cuisine. Other details about this new restaurant are still under wraps but the Scotts are targetting a May 2021 opening date.

Mrs Scott said that they’ve come up with Oh Boy, Bok Choy! as a healthy option and this something she has been wanting to do in her 24 years in the food business. She used to own and manage Ashgrove’s Milk Bar and Cafe Conti in Wilston.

Meanwhile, if you’re wondering where the name comes from, Bok Choy is a type of cruciferous vegetable and a popular Southeast Asian ingredient for stir fry dishes or soups. Much like kale, lettuce wraps or mustard greens, this has a milder and sweeter taste but it is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Mary K: Food Icon Reopens New Site 18 Months After Old Shop Closed

Missing food icon Mary Kios’s homecooked sauces and Mediterranean food? More than 18 months since closing shop in Nundah, North Brisbane’s favorite deli shop owner is back in business with Mary K at a new location in Stafford.

Ms Kios, who ran Get Fresh Deli at the Toombul Shopping Centre for 12 years, decided to reopen because she missed her customers. Her hiatus proved just how much food service is her life.

Ms Kios said some of her loyal customers often come up to her, when she’s out shopping, to ask when she’s coming back. She realized that having her store made her the happiest because it allowed her to connect with her “family” — her customers.

Photo Credit: Mary K Fresh Fine Foods/Facebook

Mary K Fresh Fine Foods offers a gratifying selection of high quality eats that the old deli used to trade. However, Ms Kios is also adding new epicurean delights, as well as more cheese and wine staples, as the store develops its menu. The Nundah food trader also has plans to introduce Indigenous foods to her revived business.

“Great to see the Stafford Road precinct continue to come alive! I dropped into Mary K. Fresh Fine Foods today to pick up some beautiful Italian food,” Councillor Fiona Hammond said on Facebook on her visit to the Stafford store. “Small and Family businesses like this are the backbone of our community and our economy. Drop in for some delicious treats when you’re going past next!”

Ms Kios got her training in the food industry from her Greek migrant parents after they opened a milk and snack bar in Kelvin Grove in 1954. Twenty years later, she went into the catering business and served VIPs in the government, the corporate world and the entertainment industry.

Mary K officially started the business last 5 Aug 2020 at 240 Stafford Rd. Check their Facebook page for the store’s trading hours.

Padua College and Mount Alvernia College Announce Expansion Plans in Kedron

Photo credit: Padua College Kedron (Official)/Facebook

Padua College and Mount Alvernia College in Kedron are planning to expand by acquiring a Council-owned depot, with plans to transform it into a sport and cultural precinct.

Mr Mark McSweeney, Chairperson of Padua College, and Mr Michael O’Brien, Chairperson of Mount Alvernia College sent a letter to their alumni, announcing the possible acquisition of the Stafford depot. Also, BCC has already accepted their letter of offer to buy the land.

The board of directors from the two Catholic Franciscan schools will come up with a master plan over the next year for the long-term use of the precinct. The master planning will involve a consultation period to ensure that the schools consider all input for the best use of the land.

They want the site to offer some community use as part of the long-term plan. But for the meantime, they are considering to build playing fields and a base for their combined Franciscan Colleges instrumental program.

“This opportunity has been made possible by more than 120 years of combined prudent financial management of Mount Alvernia and Padua Colleges. This has enabled us to be in a position to responsibly acquire this land,” Mr McSweeney and Mr O’Brien said in the joint statement.

All proceeds of the sale would go to the Brisbane Green Future Fund, which was established by the Council to expand the city’s greenspace and is part of the Council’s 2019-20 Budget.

About the Depot

The Stafford depot measures 44,476 sqm and is bordered by several streets including Broughton Rd, Wayland St, Lennon St, Hutchins St, Bradley Ave and Wood St. This parcel of land is located south of the two Cathoic schools and used to be a quarry.

Lennon St, Kedron (Photo Credit: Google Street View)

The site currently houses State Emergency Services facility. It will remain there until the council’s relocation strategy is complete. With its huge size, the land can still be used to build a residential space, but Finance Chair Cr Adam Allan said he is pleased it will be used for both education facilities and sporting fields for future generations.