Our Story
Perfecting Coffee Since 2009.
Hospitality runs deep for Neighbourhood Coffee Roaster's founder, Alex Ridgway. He grew up living above his parent's famous Caxton Street restaurant, Rags, where he was surrounded by fine artisans, gourmet ingredients and excellent service. Immersed in Brisbane's dining scene, he developed a passion for how good food, wine and coffee can bring people and communities together.
In 2009 Alex started experimenting with roasting coffee beans and found his special talent for developing authentic and honest flavour profiles that respect the origin of the bean's growing environment. Together with his wife, Steph, he bought the old Rainworth General Store, lovingly restored it to it's original 1950's glory and opened the Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters cafe. This quickly became a local institution renowned for it's simple and delicious menu, unique community vibe and huge kitchen garden. It was also renowned for its coffee - expertly roasted by Alex.
The beans became so popular that Alex and Steph made the difficult decision to close the cafe so they could focus on the roastery business. Moving to the current Albion space in 2017, Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters has become a favourite cafe and roastery destination with an eclectic and fiercely loyal following.
An inspired palate.
Alex's extraordinary palate for coffee has seen him become nationally recognised amongst the best in the industry. His signature blend, Golden Ticket' has won two awards at the Australian Coffee Roasting Championships, and he was asked to be a specialty judge at the country's largest roaster's competition, The Golden Bean Awards.
A practiced motivator.
Alex knows a thing or two about bringing out the best in others. A former silver medalist at the World Championships in rowing, Alex now coaches a men's Under 21 rowing team and two of his charges have recently made the national team. He finds this voluntary role very rewarding, happily getting up at 4am three mornings a week. He is also back in the water himself with a crew of former Olympians and World Champions in a masters crew. He uses his motivational skills to mentor the baristas of his wholesale and hospitality clients, coaching them to master the artform of exceptional coffee making and exceptional service.
