A slew of new businesses are set to call the Kingston Foreshore home with a number of favourite Canberra eateries expanding their services to the lake.
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Braddon's Autolyse bakery and Pizza Gusto will join neighbour Lonsdale Street Roasters at the mixed-used precinct, which is expected to become Canberra's largest dining and entertainment district when fully developed.
Autolyse operator Mickey Gubas has been overwhelmed with the success of the popular bakehouse since the ovens fired up seven months ago and said the business expected to open up a dockside retail outlet selling bread, pastries and coffee early next year.
Autolyse will also expand to Sydney in March, while eyes are currently set on finding a location in Melbourne.
Mr Gubas said he snapped up the opportunity to open a second Canberra store at a development that would only get better with time.
“We're not expecting a flood of people straight away but in the future it will definitely be a great part of town,” he said.
“We won't be baking at the foreshore but fresh baked breads and pastries will be delivered a couple of times a day from our Braddon location.”
Mr Gubas said Autolyse's expansion was rolling out much faster than originally expected, while the eatery had received a warm response from the Canberra community.
“It's better than we ever thought. We've ended up doing what we thought would take two years in three months,” he said.
“People don't mind waiting in line for table service if there's a great product for a really great price. People like the honesty of the food being made right in front of you.”
Autolyse is one of more than 60 hospitality and retail operators expected to reside beside the lake when the development is completed.
Cox Architecture was the first commercial venture to set up a shop along the shore six months ago and is watching the precinct come to life with interest as new businesses gradually open their doors.
Director Chris McMillan said there had been an increased sense of excitement at the foreshore of late, with current restaurants like Morks and C-Dine Bar garnering a strong customer base.
“For us, it's pretty exciting – not only did we take a bit of a punt and move everyone down to the first commercial building, but it's like a moving painting – we're watching everything unfold,” he said.
“The restaurants are doing increasingly well as more residents have moved in. From an office point of view, it's absolutely fantastic.
“We're getting so many more people interacting with the space. It takes people by surprise – they're blown away by what's there.”
One businessman hoping to garner a similar level of bewilderment is Remedy by Lonsdale Street Roasters partner Daniel Moscaritolo.
A joint venture between Mr Moscaritolo, Hugh Souyaze and Lonsdale Street Roasters owner Alistair Evans, Remedy will take the Roasters experience coffee-lovers have grown accustomed to to the next level with a stronger image and new blends.
“Expect the same service and quality as Lonsdale Street Roasters – the coffee will still be roasted in Lonsdale Street but there will be new blends. There are a lot of things to come,” Mr Moscaritolo said.
“We hope to be in just before Christmas with a big launch going into January.”
Managing director of developer Englobo Group, Terry Shaw, said demand for commercial space at the foreshore was intensifying as more big names signed up.
“We've had a lot of interest over the last few months as more and more people have seen the precinct near completion,” he said.
“Now that restaurants are actually operating here, people can see what a great lifestyle it really is.”
Kingston Foreshore commercial operators
As of November, 2013:
La Rustica
Morks
C-Dine Bar
Walt & Burley
Burley Bay Fishmongers
Remedy by Lonsdale Street Roasters
Mrs Sackfields
Cox Architecture
Travelmakers
Yoli Frozen Yoghurt
Berkeley Residential
38 Espresso
Autolyse
Bloc
Rum bar
Max Brenner
Chong co Thai
Izakawa
Vintage Cellars
Top Notch Dry Cleaners
Pizza Gusto
Kurtosh
Wasabi Warriors
Sue Connor – psychologist