Discover Shiny Brew

Business review by Teresa Mullan

NESTLED IN a little side-street not far from Salt is the revelation that is Shiny Brew.

It’s a rare treasure, a hub for the locals that physically resembles something from the Truman Show, with big white houses on top of each other in manicured streets.

It’s in an enclave where most blocks are wellkept, neighbours mow each other’s lawns and really care for each other.

Everyone loves their dogs and Shiny Brew has a bean bag for elderly dogs to lie in the sun.

Pet bowls, a pay it forward ethos (you can buy a stranger a free coffee anonymously), free ‘thank you’ cards to pass on to someone when needed, local artists, artisans and musicians promoted, and the food is divine.

Owners Karen and Leighton do much of the cooking, there are a couple of sexy chefs out the back, one male and one female.

Their food is sensational. Best chips I’ve eaten. Best fruity cocktail with local star distillers Husk’s Botanic Cane Spirit, featuring grapefruit, lemon myrtle and strawberry gum leaves, plus real strawberries floating in a glass of sheer delight.

Shiny Brew opened in January 2020, just before COVID hit.

“We moved to the area in 2016 from Brisbane because we wanted to raise our kids in a community area and open a cafe,” Karen says, in between overseeing the operations on a busy Saturday morning.

She is the beauty and the brains of the outfit. Leighton is the beauty at everything. He’s a force of nature.

A father with the two most beautiful sons who could model in a Ralph Lauren catalogue. Karen is just the nicest woman you could hope to meet. She hails from the corporate world. “Before moving here, I wasn’t in hospitality,” she said.

“My last role was in a top 20 ASX listed company.

“It was a freight logistics company and I did high level administration working for the company secretariat and the chief financial officer.

“I was in that company for more than 15 years. Leighton and I decided that we both had hectic schedules. We never got to see each other.”

At this, she laughs when I ask, “So now you get to see each other?” Leighton remains busy with his business but hopes to spend more time in the shop.

The place comes alive when he is there. They are a formidable team.

The brew is satisfying and as the community gathers at Shiny Brew, all folk are catered for with kindness and a familiar and familial feel.

Customers are offered comfortable couches, cushions, a free book exchange, free water, music and the chance to relax in a cafe with community flair and focus.