Beloved burger outlet forced to move

One of the Peninsula’s best-loved burger joints is looking for a new home after learning the property would be developed to create two new fast-food outlets and a gym.

Beardy’s Bar and Kitchen at Kippa-Ring has amassed a loyal following since it opened in 2017, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Owners Lee and Ross Willson posted the news on the Beardy’s Facebook page, attracting hundreds of reactions and shares from shocked customers.

They say they are disappointed to be moving, but determined to stay in the area.

Looking for a new home

Lee says an email yesterday informed them the owners of the Kippa-Ring property had submitted a Development Application for the site and the earliest potential date for the Beardy’s lease to end would be June 1.

“We’re actively looking for a new site at the moment,” he says.

“We’re definitely looking to stay here on the Peninsula – we’ve got so much love and support here.”

Ross says while they could move elsewhere, feedback from loyal patrons was that they should reopen close by.

“So many people want us to stay on the Peninsula and we like the commute – we’ve worked in the city and we quite like the traffic here,” Ross says.

Application lodged

On February 7, Town Planning Alliance lodged a development application with Moreton Bay Regional Council for 403 and 405-407 Elizabeth Ave, Kippa-Ring on behalf of OneFin Kippa-Ring Pty Ltd.

The application is for a two into three lot subdivision, while supporting documents show plans for two fast food outlets, as well as converting an existing building into a gymnasium.

Lee says he believes a Guzman Y Gomez is planned for one of the fast-food outlets, but he has not heard what the other will be.

“We never got a look in – we were just told the site was being developed and the lease would end,” he says.

“We never got the opportunity to put a tender in.

“We’re all about buying local, keeping money in the community and using local support – creating fresh food and keeping money rolling around in the community.”

Adaptable thinking

He says Beardy’s is looking to find another property urgently so it can seek new food and liquor licences and fit out a new commercial kitchen.

“It’s all time and money, but it is what it is – all we can do is adapt and move on.”

Beardy’s is no stranger to adapting, having survived rolling lockdowns and restrictions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like many other venues, they offered takeaway-only, but Lee also hit the tools crafting a smoker with a mate that added a whole new dimension to their menu.

A passion for serving food crafted with care earnt several honours for Beardy’s, including equal third place in a poll for Brisbane’s best burgers by the Courier-Mail and U on Sunday magazine, as well as a Forkie for Best Tinder Date Venue.

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