Cracking Colombian coffee and shockingly bad humour, with an ever changing array of naughty snacks on the side.

The wildly popular Cheeky Bean Espresso Bar, which has been dispensing a daily morning pick-me-up to West End locals for a half dozen years, is making its way to Montague Markets.

“We’ve gained quite a following here at West End,’’ said owner Kathy Bush. “In fact, I have heard of some people driving from 20 minutes away just so they can taste our coffee.’’

Whether it’s the Columbian beans, the lightning quick service, the consistently good brews, the corny Dad jokes – or all of the above – something is setting Cheeky Bean apart in a world where’s there coffee shops on every street corner.

According to Ms Bush (pictured above with brother Craig McTaggart), you can’t underestimate the value of consistency ands that’s why at Cheeky Bean there’s one bean to rule them all.

“We source our beans from a local, boutique roaster in Yatala and we treat them with love.

“When handled well the beans produce a smooth, full-bodied brew with chocolately undertones. It is unique and delicious and has a broad appeal.

“It’s one of the keys that keeps people coming back. And because it’s not a common bean it gives us a point of difference.’’

A former school teacher, bakery owner and travelling sales rep, Ms Bush was a novice in the coffee trade when she and her brother, Craig, bought their first espresso bar at 206A Montague Road five-and-a-half years ago.

Together with partner, John Tuaoi, and brother Craig, she has injected personality into the tiny hole-in-the-wall that has become known as a great destination for coffee in West End.

“None of us knew how to make coffee back then, but we knew how to run a business.

“We are excited about our location in Montague Markets because the Woolworths supermarket will draw in residents from throughout the surrounding area and we can’t wait to get started.’’’

Cheeky Bean’s 35 square metre premises in the heart of the precinct will be open seven days a week, offering a range of treats in addition to the coffee.

Takeaway coffee will be available in two sizes – the 6oz (175ml) single shotand the 12oz (350ml) double shot.

“We aim to make your coffee just the way you like it so please don’t hesitate to ask. Our baristas are always up for a chat and a laugh and will very quickly know your name and your preferred brew.’’

Options include Zymil, Milk Lab almond, coconut, oat, Vitasoy and Bonsoy milk, and there’ll be a range of smoothies, hot chocolate, chai and iced drinks on offer too.

The three varities of smoothies on offer are chock full of ingredients. “On The Greens” combines spinach, kale, apple, cucumber,  banana, pepitas, coconut water and lemon.

“Oxi Boost’’ meanwhile has blueberries, raspberries, apple, pepitas, chia and sunflower seeds, green tea and coconut water, while “Banana Bender” consists of banana, dates, oats, honey, cinnamon and coconut water. Optional in all is vegan protein powder.

While Cheeky Bean is renowned for its coffee, they also offer a mouth-watering array of tempting treats to tickle your tastebuds.

There are daily fresh muffins from a local West End bakery, a delicious range of wholesome slices, energy balls, protein bars, Pog Balls, giant cookies, gingerbread people, organic pies and other sweet and savoury pastries.

To find out more about Montague Markets & Residences, drop by the Discovery Centre at 321 Montague Road, West End, Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, or Sunday 10am to 2pm. Click here or call 1300 202 888.

Meet Michael Laws – who is soon to be West End’s newest community pharmacist.

Mr Laws is the Managing Partner at Montague Markets Pharmacy, which opens in September, a family-owned, independent store with convenience at its core.

Ideally located near the Healthcare hub being created in the Montague Markets retail precinct, the pharmacy also benefits from an abundance of off-street parking at the new development.

With 13 years of experience, Mr Laws prides himself on being approachable and only too happy to dispense professional advice as well as prescriptions.

“We are an independent operator, so the owner works in the store. I’ll have a key role in dispensing medications and I pride myself on our being approachable.

“Making yourself available to offer professional advice is a major part of building relationships with customers.

“The easy access to parking is another point of difference for us at Montague Markets.

“Together with our convenient opening hours, it’s ideal for people from here to Highgate Hill who can pop in on their way to and from the city.’’

Another partner in the pharmacy is Brisbane businessman Andrew Grant-Taylor.

Keen to help establish a sister operation to a highly successful Paddington Central Pharmacy on Latrobe Terrace, Mr Grant-Taylor described Montague Markets as a prime location .

“West End is an excellent location for a business such as ours, enhanced by our position near to the Healthcare hub as well as other retailers including Woolworths,’’ said Mr Grant-Taylor.

“Supermarket shoppers will be able to park at the centre, drop their prescription in on the way in and pick it up on their way back.

“We are also looking forward to supporting the doctors in the Healthcare hub and helping to provide a focus for the community’s health needs.’’

Growing up in house above a Lutwyche pharmacy – and with his mum and dad both chemists – it is perhaps no surprise Andrew Grant-Taylor made his way into the profession.

Mr Grant-Taylor recognised the importance of location early in his career, which began at pharmacy in the heart of Carindale Shopping Centre in the late 1970s.

“Very few opportunities arise like Montague Markets arise. I’m impressed with the feel of the retail precinct and the density of living being established between Montague Road and the river is another attractive feature.’’

The pharmacy will open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Saturday, and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

It will offer a Webster packing service to take the stress out of remembering your medications, a prescription reminder service, in-store vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose testing,  and arranging absence from work certificates.

A wide range of vitamin supplements will be stocked along with skincare products from La Roche-Posay, Avene, and Natio.

The pharmacy is also set up with software to process e-scripts, currently being trialled in Queensland.

E-scripts allow doctors to generate a “token’’ that is then sent to the patient, or their carer, by text or email.

The patient can then go to a pharmacy, which has the appropriate software, to have their prescription dispensed.

To find out more about Montague Markets & Residences, drop by the Discovery Centre at 321 Montague Road, West End, Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm or Sunday 10am to 2pm. Click here or call 1300 202 888.

Whether you are gift hunting for someone special or simply treating yourself, it’s easy to enjoy some retail therapy exploring Ollie & Lloyd’s veritable treasure trove of gifts, homewares and furniture.

The popular retailer will be among a burgeoning array of exciting stores opening at Montague Markets & Residences this spring.

Blaine Ballerini and Paul Alcock, who own Ollie & Lloyd at Gasworks, Newstead, see Montague Markets as a logical extension of the brand.

“We see so many similarities in the two areas,’’ said Mr Ballerini. “And the reason it sparked our interest was knowing Woolworths was going to be an anchor tenant in the new retail precinct of the development.

“We see West End as a very good fit for our business, with the demographic not dissimilar to Newstead.

“The new store at Montague Markets will be identical in size and product mix.’’

The pair, who opened their first Ollie & Lloyd store in Brisbane in 2007, include a large range of Missoni, Glasshouse and Kip & Co products among the hundreds of items in stock.

A vibrant new textiles collection from Melbourne design duo Bonnie and Neil will feature at the September opening, as well as colourful, new season shirts from Wolff Blitz.

“We stock hundreds of homeware items, gifts, cards and furniture,’’ said Mr Ballerini.

“We’re not a linen and beige store. A lot of our products are colourful, quirky and fun.’’

In a similar vein, you could say the pair’s sense of quirkiness has its pawprints all over the name of the store itself.

Named after their dalmation (Oliver) and tabby cat (Lloyd),  it’s a talking point for anyone who enquires.

While the two pets never actually set foot in an Ollie & Lloyd store, they certainly add to the colour.

“We stock a lot of what we like ourselves – but we also devour a lot of information from magazines and social media about trends and fashion,’’ said Mr Ballerini.

“It’s not a simple process and we often travel to inspect first hand many product lines before buying them. Particularly successful for us, for instance, has been the first-born gifting market as well as greeting cards that you wouldn’t normally find.

“We also have an exclusive Brisbane range of Missoni Home products from high quality, brightly coloured towels to bath robes, mats, throws, cushions, floor rugs and wallpaper.’’

To find out more about Montague Markets & Residences, drop by the Discovery Centre at 321 Montague Road, West End, Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm or Sunday 10am to 2pm.

Private appointments are also available for your convenience. Click here or call 1300 202 888.

Get ready – we’re bringing a new dimension to boutique, inner-city living. 

The countdown is on with just four weeks until the opening of Montague Markets & Residences. 

And testimony to the Pradella vision, buyers have already snapped up more than 80 per cent of apartments in first stage of the project. 

The outstanding response from customers has already prompted fast-tracking of the second stage, Ferry Residences, many months ahead of schedule. 

This will be a major milestone in our 60-year history of creating high quality properties and the 20th project delivered in the 4101 postcode, offering an unparalleled lifestyle as well as a much-needed lifestyle hub for the suburb. 

We are now in the final stages of preparations for our mid-September opening, with the finishing touches for internal fitout being applied to the apartments, as well as many of the shops within the Montague Markets retail precinct. 

We are also currently installing thousands of lush, subtropical plants to make the expansive landscaped spaces come alive. 

Stage 1 of Montague Markets features 89 luxurious one, two and three-bedroom apartments, along with alfresco dining and a vibrant public plaza.  

A new full-line 3,400sqm Woolworths supermarket – the first for West End – will feature within the retail precinct along with a BWS and about 15 specialty retailers. 

Woolworths Queensland Property Manager, Phillip Peel, said the fit-out of the supermarket was well under way.  

“We are halfway through our four-week fit-out period. All the refrigeration is in and we are now setting up the cash registers,” said Mr Peel. 

“Within weeks we will have stocked the store so that everything will be fully functional when Montague Markets is officially launched.” 

Montague Markets will showcase more than 2,000 square metres of private recreational facilities including a lush rooftop skygarden with panoramic views of the entire city skyline. 

A lagoon pool and shaded lounge deck, outdoor cinema with sculpted viewing platforms, yoga space and lawn area with a waterfall backdrop will add to its ambience. 

Residents will also have exclusive access to a covered pizza terrace and outdoor oven, a private recreation room and lounge, as well as an outdoor bar and dining area. 

To find out more about Montague Markets & Residences, drop by the Discovery Centre at 321 Montague Road, West End, Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm or Sunday 10am to 2pm. 

Private appointments are also available for your convenience. Click here or call 1300 202 888. 

Award-winning Tigerlamb hair salon will bring a sense of glamour and sophistication to women’s styling when it opens at Montague Markets this spring.

The design of the new 106 square metre salon will showcase Tigerlamb’s signature ambience with extensive use of decorative stencilling, calming spaces and stage lighting, offering customers a retreat from the world outside.

Tigerlamb owner Helen Owens

It’s a place for pampering and “a little bit of affordable luxury,” according to owner Helen Owens.

“The new retail precinct at Montague Markets represents an exciting opportunity for her business,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to build a name in Brisbane synonymous with beautiful styling and creating a phenomenal experience for our customers.

“West End is so progressive and we’re excited to be part of it all, and especially within this development by Pradella, who we are huge fans of.’’

With salons at Bowen Hills, Portside and Coorparoo, Tigerlamb has carved an enviable reputation for quality, and is a finalist in seven categories of the upcoming Queensland Hairdressing Industry Awards this year alone.

Celebrating a 30-year career in hairdressing, Helen’s eclectic passions for creativity, theatre and at one point – motorcycle racing – have shaped her innovative approach to the industry.

“The leathers I used to race in were named Tiger Angel.  To me it represented two sides of a personality and I carried that through to the naming of Tigerlamb,’’ she said.

“The name illustrates that we are available to all genres – masculine, feminine, strong, meek, funky, traditional wild, conservative, young or old.’’

“I also have a love for the theatre, which explains the creativity that envelopes the design of all our salons.

“When I started work as an apprentice, I shared a house with a group of actors at Petrie Terrace. We lived next to Crazies Comedy restaurant where I worked at night after hairdressing during the day.

I continued my love of the arts with the Queensland Theatre Company and was involved in La Boite Theatre Company for many years.

“I am blessed to have some of the heart of these experiences presented in the slightly theatrical stage we have created in our salons.”

Helen’s career has also taken her to London and Milan where she worked as a session stylist for high end brands, had a celebrity clientele in Hampstead and styled hair on production sets for music video clips.

The Tigerlamb team has also styled locks at Sydney, Brisbane and New York Fashion Weeks and Fashion Festivals.

Having cultivated an enviable reputation in Brisbane, Helen said Tigerlamb’s focus was on “creating beautiful healthy hair’’.

“Our thorough consultations allow us to understand and cater for all levels of investment our guests choose to make in their hair. I would describe our services as affordable luxury,‘’ she said.

“We specialise in blonde colouring and are experts in colour correction, with our services heavily geared towards cutting, colouring and styling whether for maintenance or a complete makeover.’’

Stencilling, stagelighting and calming spaces are part of the Tigerlamb look 

To learn more, drop by the Discovery Centre at 321 Montague Road, West End, Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. If you’d prefer to book a private appointment, please call 1300 202 888.

With sushi one of the hottest trends in Australian dining, foodies take note.

At Montague Markets, you can soon be savouring steaming ramen or the delicate delights of Okonomiyaki – an exciting and growing new restaurant chain.

Wara Sushi, under the guidance of former civil engineer Tony Choi, is about to open its 11^th restaurant in Queensland in the space of six years, and has chosen West End’s Montague Markets as the location.

“I spent a lot of time at West End when I was working as a civil engineer,’’ said Mr Choi, who is enjoying the challenge of his relatively recent career switch.

“I like the vibrancy and the family demographic of the area and with the opening of our new restaurant at Montague Markets we are excited to be part of it all,’’ he said.

Mr Choi said that besides aiming to create the best-tasting sushi in Australia, Wara Sushi also owed its success to its vibrant store fit-outs, state-of-the-art kitchen equipment and IT systems.

The restaurant venture now employs more than 200 staff.

“We opened our first store at Logan in 2014. I chose to enter the restaurant industry because my mother was a shop owner and my father was a shopfitter,’’ said Mr Choi.

“It was an ideal foundation for launching a business. My father has been involved in all of the fit-outs and although now semi-retired will be looking in on Montague Markets as well.’’

Wara Sushi will feature a rotating sushi bar along with a tablet menu ordering system. The 150 square metre floorplan meanwhile has been designed to accommodate up to 70 diners.

The convenience of the sushi bar is perfect for office workers seeking a tasty, healthy lunch served up quickly. Diners can also sit at a table for a relaxed local experience.

It’s licensed – so you can order sake, among other beverages, as well.

While the menu changes with the seasons, among perennial favourites are The Lion King (a grilled scallop roll covered in a cheesy sauce and torched on top) and the Dynamite roll (featuring deep-fried chicken for lovers of spice).

A guide to the basics 

While Japanese food is extremely popular throughout Australia now, here’s a glossary that may come in handy.

Tako Wasabi: Tako is octopus and wasabi is a spicey condiment prepared from the roots of Japanese horseradish

Inari:  Inari refers to deep fried pockets of tofu filled with rice that can be enjoyed on their own or combined with other sushi dishes

Ikura: One of the most popular sushi toppings, it’s the caviar of Japanese cooking with a rich flavour that melts in the mouth

Omakase: The word means: “I will leave it to you’’. It gives the chef the freedom to flex their talents in the preparation of a dish comprising in-season ingredients

Unagi: Unagi (freshwater eel) is a well-known delicacy in Japan that is boith nutritious and can be enjoyed all year round.

Nigiri: Nigiri is a traditional type of sushi. It consists of fresh fish or vegetables served over mounds of pressed vinegar rice

Okonomiyaki: A Japanese savoury pancake featuring ingredients in a batter. It is usually served with a topping of special sauce

To find out more about Montague Markets & Residences, drop by the Discovery Centre at 321 Montague Road, West End, Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm or Sunday 10am to 2pm.

Private appointments are also available for your convenience. Click here or call 1300 202 888.