Noosa Chocolate Factory’s Adelaide Street cafe and store in Brisbane is undergoing a massive renovation, ready to increase supply of caffeine and chocolate to city workers in the New Year.
Due to open in late December, work has already started after the Queensland chocolate business took over the lease from their neighbouring store on Adelaide Street opposite Queens Plaza. The expansion flies in the face of increasing global prices of cocoa as demand continues to grow for Noosa Chocolate Factory’s handmade chocolate and confectionery that is delivered fresh to the city from its Noosa Factory.
“Work is now underway in our 156 Adelaide Street store and cafe, with space already created to stock more hand-crafted chocolates alongside our takeaway coffee offering,” said Nick Southon, General Manager of Noosa Chocolate Factory.
“We are investing in our retail offering that is within an hour or two drive of our Noosa factory to ensure product quality and freshness is never compromised. Our chocolates are handmade using natural ingredients and no chemicals, which means it is truly unique to South East Queensland.”
The news comes weeks after the retailer opened a permanent new store in Brisbane Arcade stocking seasonal and best-selling chocolates and confectionery. Mr Southon says the store has proven popular with Christmas shoppers looking to spend less overall this year on gifts whilst not compromising on giving friends and family quality.
“Chocolate is a much smaller price point than other goods that people might have previously been given at Christmas time,” he said. “Our speciality seasonal hampers and chocolates are items people are proud to give without stretching their wallets too far.”
On the topic of wallets, Mr Southon says globally the chocolate industry is faced with rising commodity prices of cocoa leading to Noosa Chocolate Factory raising their retail prices slightly earlier in the year to cover additional costs.
“Our customers were understanding about the slight rise in prices earlier this year and, for us, it was a necessary step in ensuring our business is sustainable and that we stay true to our promise of quality. We are committed to using natural ingredients rather than substituting with artificial flavours or diluting the cocoa quantities in our products,” he said.