Case Study: How This Brisbane Café Expanded Without Blowing the Budget

(And Why Knowing Your Lease Terms Can Save You Thousands)

In this case study, we’re sharing how Melanie and her family expanded Merak Café in Redland Bay Village, turning their allergen-friendly café into a thriving local favourite—without the budget blowouts or last-minute headaches.

From a Tiny Café to a Thriving Community Hub

Melanie and her family opened Merak Café during the middle of a global pandemic. It wasn’t just a new business—it was a lifeline for locals needing gluten-free, dairy-free and allergen-friendly food they could trust.

Merak quickly outgrew its original space. Within months, it was clear they needed more room. Within a year, they were ready to move.

But with that growth came one big question:

Challenge: Outgrowing a Café Tenancy—What to Consider Before You Move

Melanie knew it was time to upgrade. But she also knew that a rushed decision could cost her more than just money—it could affect her entire business.

That’s where we came in.

Before signing a new lease or spending a cent on fitout costs, we took a step back and asked:

Is this the right location
Are there other tenancies worth considering?
What does the current lease really say?
Can we negotiate better terms?

Spoiler: We did. And it made all the difference.

How We Helped Merak Café Expand with Confidence

Once we’d reviewed all the options, we worked with Melanie and her family to build a plan from the ground up:

Negotiated landlord works and contributions
Matched them with a retail-savvy designer
Helped create a full café equipment list
Developed a realistic, line-item budget
Tendered the build to get the right shopfitter
Made smart changes to get more value from every dollar

All the way through, Melanie wasn’t left to figure it out alone. We guided the process so her café could grow without unnecessary delays or blowouts.

“Could not recommend Karyn (Setting Up Shop) more highly!! From the very beginning to the very end, Karyn is with you every step of the way.
Our first major café fitout and I can 100% say that we would never have made it even halfway to the finish line without her guidance & expertise”
— Melanie Warren, Merak Café

Are You Planning a New Café Tenancy?

If you’re eyeing off a new space and thinking,
“I think this could work… but what am I missing?”,
you’re exactly who we built the Property Brief tool for.

It’s a free PDF designed to help you assess whether a café, shop or restaurant tenancy is truly right for your business—before you commit to a lease or start designing your fitout.