Stone Corner’s beloved café and bar, Lady Marmalade, has been sold, just days after it was put on the market.
Two years into the pandemic, many businesses struggle to survive amidst COVID-related challenges – periods of lockdowns, border closures and changes in customer spending habits; and Lady Marmalade is no exception.
So, when Owners Sonja and Howard Searle decided to put the cafe and bar on the market almost seven years after they took over, they did not expect that they would receive an offer so fast.
They are nevertheless happy that the new owner, Racy79 Pty Ltd, will be taking over the business and Lady Marmalade’s existing employees get to keep their jobs. Once the changeover of management is complete, Sonja and Howard plan to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the hospitality business.
Regulars need not worry, however. Lady Marmalade’s capable staff will be there to ensure that it will still be business as usual.
“After nearly 7 years, the time has come for Howard and I to hand over the reins of Lady Marmalade to new owners,” Sonja said.
“The amazing Lady Marmalade Team will remain the same, the new owners are Industry Veterans who manage many high profile restaurants, cafes and a brewery in Queensland and across Australia. Some of their venues include Nonna’s Restaurant, Bluewater Grill Hope Island, House of Brews Surfer’s Paradise. Their wisdom and infrastructure will help to expand Lady Marmalade and they will be able to offer the team development opportunities.”
Established in 2010, Lady Marmalade Café has become a go-to venue for great-tasting food made in-house, coffee and craft beers and wines. It started out as a small cafe occupying a vintage, corner building space that has been home of The National Bank before it became a canaryhouse and bird hospital then a record store.
The cafe and licensed-bar underwent a major transformation and expanded over to the nextdoor shop when the Searle’s took ownership in 2015. The renovated shop now seats more than 60 customers at a time from the original eight-seating capacity with a fit-out that pays homage to its historic past including the original brick walls which have now been exposed as well as the vintage bird hospital signage.
