The closure of Townsville cafes, including one of the last in the Sizzlers chain in Australia , has created much media comment, a lot of it about the depressed economy of the city and tough trading conditions . Yet just across the way , on Magnetic Island , two new cafes have opened, there is a proposal for a wine bar , plus a building boom which has somehow gone unnoticed by MKR mesmerised reporters.
Fronting the roundabout just across from IGA and the ferry parking area , the above seafood business opened recently . Access is via a pedestrian ramp at each end , a circular concrete parking area at the rear . This has raised questions about how vehicles will exit the site as there are double lines in the road , so vehicles will have to turn left and proceed up the hill and travel to Arcadia before able to turn around .
There are unconfirmed reports that the double lines are going to be changed to allow right turns out from the café, which will be interesting . A Rock Paper Scissors van popped up in the Foodworks parking area in part of the former Curlew Café spot .
A licence is being sought by Cellars Pty Ltd to operate Smugglers Wine Bar , able to handle up to 60 customers at any one time , operating Monday to Sunday , in premises to be built at 45 Sooning Street , Nelly Bay , next to the hardware store . Objections to the venture closed with the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation November 30 , but no sober media organisation seems to have asked the obvious question .
A licence is being sought by Cellars Pty Ltd to operate Smugglers Wine Bar , able to handle up to 60 customers at any one time , operating Monday to Sunday , in premises to be built at 45 Sooning Street , Nelly Bay , next to the hardware store . Objections to the venture closed with the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation November 30 , but no sober media organisation seems to have asked the obvious question .
BUILDING ACTIVITY
Talk to tradesman and they tell you the island is providing much work, some even say more than Townsville ; tradies seen coming backwards and forwards on the car ferry , a Townsville glass company makes weekly trips to the island to meet the demand . Two one million dollar houses , refurbishment of the old police station with 52 windows , home renovations , some vacant blocks selling , a sub division or two, residences built on prime waterfront blocks at Picnic Bay which had been vacant for years . A spec builder on the island ...