Long Street Coffee

Long Street Coffee is by baristas Francois and Jane Marx. The husband-and-wife team have taken their passion for defending the rights of asylum seekers and refugees living in Australia, and matched this with their love of a caffeinated drop.

After successfully crowdfunding, the pair converted a garage for the cafe. They had some help from kind-hearted folk along the way, including architect David Hislop, stonemasons URBI Design, Cargo Crew, KeepCup and artist Harley Jones. The resulting space melds white, wood and stone with plenty of plant life and small details such as Wingnut & Co sugar bowls.

Proud Mary beans shape espresso-based coffees and Aunty Peg’s supplies the cakes and pastries. Beans for filter will rotate and the organic fair-trade tea selection is from Brisbane’s Tielka.

The all-day menu is driven by entirely organic ingredients with a local focus, including vegan and gluten-free options.

With a basketball hoop in the laneway and free wi-fi, Long Street Coffee is a place to linger. The couple’s philosophy is one of hospitality. They have created a space where people can sit, drink cups of tea and coffee, and not rush.

The cafe employs refugees. For many of the staff, working at Long Street is their first job in Australia, and Jane and Francois assist their team to find future study or employment opportunities.