New Marrickville cafe Beejays has hit the ground running in its first days. With good coffee, great decor, and friendly staff, Beejays is poised to take South Marrickville by storm.
There is indeed a BJ at Beejays, and at just 19 years of age he must qualify as Marrickville's youngest cafe owner. Ignoring the discouragement which is traditional from parents and friends when teenagers express an entrepreneurial urge, BJ enlisted a business partner, Mario, to help him realise his vision.
"I was looking at the old hairdresser's site on the corner of Warburton St," says BJ, "but it just wasn't right for what we wanted to create. We're doing something creative, funky, something a bit different. I wanted the counter at the front, so I can talk to people on the street, and the courtyard out the back gets sun all day in winter - it's fantastic."
The sunny front counter of Beejays won me on my first visit, and the sun-drenched courtyard made me promise myself a return visit for a meal. Inside, the decor of exposed brick, 50s art and 70s cassettes and LPs is attractive, funky and light. Check out the quirky interior design details on surfaces like chair backs and courtyard walls.
Cakes and jams are home-made, and their home-made chai syrup makes a brilliant chai latte. The menu reflects the quirky yet quality ethos.
Adding to the ambiance, Beejays hosts live music performances between 10am and 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. South Marrickville is indeed becoming the new Surry Hills.
"We're applying for a liquor licence," says BJ, "and then we will have live music at night as well."
With Marrickville locals crying out for more small wine bars, Beejays looks like a winner in the making.
LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
For a short time, thebestof Marrickville is offering a Beejays Special Offer - Breakfast for two, including tea or coffee, and a jar of home-made jam to take home.
Click here to download your voucher for the Beejays Special Offer!