Hospitality runs deep for Neighbourhood Coffee Roaster’s founder, Alex Ridgway. He grew up living above his parent’s famous Caxton Street restaurant, Rags, where he was surrounded by fine artisans, gourmet ingredients and excellent service. Immersed in Brisbane’s dining scene, he developed a passion for how good food, wine and coffee can bring people and communities together.
In 2009 Alex started experimenting with roasting coffee beans and found his special talent for developing authentic and honest flavour profiles that respect the origin of the bean’s growing environment. Together with his wife, Steph, he bought the old Rainworth General Store, lovingly restored it to it’s original 1950’s glory and opened the Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters cafe. This quickly became a local institution renowned for it’s simple and delicious menu, unique community vibe and huge kitchen garden. It was also renowned for its coffee – expertly roasted by Alex.
The beans became so popular that Alex and Steph made the difficult decision to close the cafe so they could focus on the roastery business. Moving to the current Albion space in 2017, Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters has become a favourite cafe and roastery destination with an eclectic and fiercely loyal following.
