Southport’s Staunch Coffee Roasters Brews Up a New Era for Gold Coast Small Business

Staunch Coffee Roasters on Nerang Street isn’t just serving flat whites anymore—its co-founder Samira Fong has just secured a deal to distribute Gold Coast-roasted beans into three major supermarkets across Queensland. The young entrepreneur, who started the roastery with just a $15,000 bank loan back in 2022, expects production to triple by October and is already hiring six new staff to cope with demand.

Why Bold Moves Matter Now on the Coast

The announcement lands at a crucial time for independent businesses in the region. With rising competition for retail locations—Westfield Helensvale recently upped commercial lease rates by 7% according to Ray White Commercial—local operators face unprecedented costs. The Gold Coast's growing tech and AI sector is also squeezing out small startups by driving up rents in hubs like Southport and Robina. In this climate, Fong’s success offers a blueprint for survival and growth: diversify beyond hospitality, invest in eco credentials, and develop a retail presence fast.

Staunch’s headquarters, around the corner from the Southport South tram stop, have become a destination for both caffeine connoisseurs and business-studies students from Griffith University. Every Saturday, the team hosts sustainability workshops in partnership with Plastic Free Gold Coast and Surfrider Foundation, focusing on waste minimisation in food service—a first for a local café.

The Gold Coast City Council’s June 2026 Economic Outlook found that 18% of small businesses have closed branches or scaled back over the past year. The jump in electricity prices—in May, Ergon Energy raised rates by 9.3%—has hammered profit margins for many hospitality operators. Despite these conditions, Staunch reported a 38% jump in monthly turnover between April and June, driven largely by online sales and a new compostable coffee pod line retailing for $7.95 per pack of 12 at Ferry Road Markets.

What’s Next for Ambitious Locals?

The Gold Coast business scene is in flux. Locals eyeing a similar jump should keep watch: Business Gold Coast will open applications for its annual Start-Up Support Grant on 10 July, offering $5,000–$20,000 for innovative retail initiatives. For entrepreneurs, Fong’s path proves that securing a physical foothold and expanding into retail can buffer against shocks in a turbulent economy. The next stage for Staunch is a flagship outlet in Burleigh Heads, aiming to open doors by December. As the city changes, it’s local risk-takers—not the usual big-brand suspects—who are setting the pace on the Gold Coast.