4 April 2006
Legendary Byron Bay eatery, the Belongil Beach Café has officially opened at the newly completed $35 million East on Byron project.
Developed by Brisbane's Citimark Properties on a secluded two-acre Belongil Beach-frontage site, the "new" Belongil Beach Café and Deli is located at 18 Childe Street.
The existing café is also situated in Childe Street. East on Byron is positioned about one kilometre north of Byron's café and restaurant precinct.
The new café and deli will occupy a 222m2 tenancy, comprising 106m2 of internal space and 116m2 externally.
Owner, Phil Aulich said that the café's 14 staff had transferred to the new operation.
He said that internal fit-out by PADesign had really captured the essence of Byron Bay living.
"A light, open and airy interior has been fitted-out with timber shelving and refrigerated displays to showcase the best foods available in the region.
"While outside, the coffee bar, verandah and courtyard embraces ocean breezes to make casual dining, Byron-style, all it should be," he said.
Mr Aulich said that the relocation to East on Byron was a response to customer feedback.
"We've always sourced some of the best food and suppliers and gathered together a professional and friendly group of staff, but it became obvious that some bigger and better changes were needed.
"It was fortuitous that this new development included a commercial building that was suitable for our new requirements; and that we'd developed a great working relationship with the Citimark team.
"In the end, we both wanted the same thing. To see that the Belongil Beach Café continue to be one of the most popular cafes in Byron," he said.Mr Aulich said that the new venture would provide even greater services with takeaway meals; delicatessen, fruit and vegetables sales and "even the sale of morning newspapers" from the general store.
"The biggest challenge will be to recreate the magic atmosphere of the existing café.
"However I believe that the organic beach shack architecture of the project and its natural landscaping of rocks, water, timber and coastal habitat has made that job easier," he said.
Phil Aulich has a background in architecture; hospitality management (Hilton and Waldorf); and teaching.
He arrived in Byron Bay from Sydney in 1997 and soon purchased the current café on Childe Street.
"I was having a coffee in the garden of my favourite café and the then owner announced that she had had enough and that the café was for sale.
"Five minutes later the deal was done and the Belongil Beach Café was born.
"I already had fond memories of The Belongil from my visits to Byron in the eighties and I wanted to recreate the environment in which locals and visitors could relax, enjoy healthy food and feel some of the magic for which Byron was renowned.
"Keeping the magic of Byron alive was to be our theme.
"Slowly but surely over the past five years we have collected a great group of baristas, wait staff and chefs and a peerless bunch of suppliers, all of whom are making the journey with us to the new digs.
"Suppliers such as the award winning Byron Bay Coffee Company will assist in setting up the coffee bar to promote their range of organic and free trade coffee.
"Doughboy Breads, Wildbite Cakes and Biscuits; Byron Drinks, Muffin Men, Cape Byron Foods and others will also be key to our ongoing success," he said.
The company currently has 16 projects under development including the $120 million Brisbane CBD Riverfront residential project - Evolution; and a new $35 million, 25ha industrial and business park on the former Mitsubishi engine plant site in Lonsdale in Adelaide's southern suburbs.
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