After nearly six years at the heart of Glen Innes’s coffee scene, much-loved local café The Coffee Incident has officially gone on the market, and for the happiest of reasons. Owner Holly Coldhamand her partner, Tom, are preparing to welcome their first child, a baby boy due in mid-November.
“It’s a very bittersweet decision,” Holly said. “Owning a café was always the career dream for me, and it’s definitely been a huge part of my identity and my life. But at the same time, the decision was also easy. I’ve wanted to have a family my whole entire life. It’s always been my priority to do that and do it properly.”
Holly’s journey with The Coffee Incident began when she purchased the business from her former boss, Chris Glennan, who had owned it for more than seven years.
“I worked for Chris for a couple of years toward the end of his time with the café,” said Holly.
“After moving to Toowoomba to learn more about the hospitality industry, I realised I wanted to move home and start something of my own in Glen Innes. I asked Chris if he’d be interested in selling me his business, and the rest is history.”
Coming home to familiar faces and familiar systems made the transition feel natural.
“It was so great coming back to a team I already knew, along with customers who knew me too. It all just made sense,” she said.
What started as a bold step into business ownership quickly became a defining chapter in her life. One filled with early mornings, laughter, lessons, and an ever-growing love for her community.
When Holly took over, The Coffee Incident was tucked into a small space at 316 Grey Street, serving up what she described as a “simple and effective” menu of great coffee, cakes, and toasties. But her time in Toowoomba had sparked new ideas, particularly around the art of presentation.
“Up there, I was the person who prepared all of the sweets and savouries for their big display cabinet each day,” she said. “I learnt the value of a cabinet, so the first thing I did when I took over was buy one! I mimicked what I’d seen there by offering as much as I could through that display, the space was so small, but we made it work.”
Eventually, the café outgrew its cosy beginnings, and about 2.5 years ago, Holly and her team moved to 191 Grey Street.
“We were bursting at the seams,” said Holly.
“The new space meant we could finally offer an all-day breakfast menu, double the size of our cabinet, and probably triple our dining area. It’s been such a welcome change – so much room to experiment and grow, and our customers absolutely love it.”
When asked what she believes makes The Coffee Incident stand out, Holly said it’s all about the people behind the cabhinet.
“Honestly, our atmosphere is what makes us different. My team is so special. We serve up beautiful coffee, cabinet snacks, and a lovely menu, but none of that would mean anything without the people. We’re more like a friendship group than colleagues, and customers can really feel that joy.”
Running a busy café came with its challenges, of course, and Holly admitted the reality of business ownership was an eye-opener.
“I was very naïve about how difficult it is to run a business,” she said.
“I was 24 when I took over, which was a really young age to take on something I didn’t fully understand. I had to grow up quickly, learn every position in the café, and then get my head around the business side of things from scratch. It took the wind out of me!”
That steep learning curve has shaped the way she now mentors her own team. “Because I found that so challenging myself, I really love helping others with their budding businesses. My team are entrepreneurs at heart, a lot of them have little side hustles that I like to support or collaborate with. Collaborating in general has become one of my favourite parts of this job.”
As she prepares to pass the torch, Holly hopes the next owner will see the potential that still lies ahead for The Coffee Incident.
“There’s so much room for growth if someone’s willing to put in the energy,” she said. “The venue is licensed, so more night events would be amazing for Glen Innes. It’s such a big, aesthetic space that could also lend itself to retail or an extended menu. There are so many directions it could go.”
When asked what she’ll miss the most, the answer came easily.
“My team,” she said. “They’re such a beautiful group of people, and you couldn’t match their work ethic, energy, or joy anywhere. The atmosphere they create is truly special – that’s definitely what I’ll miss most.”
For now, business continues as usual, with the same warm smiles, steaming coffee, and heartfelt service that have made The Coffee Incident a local favourite.
“The café deserves energy and attention,” Holly said. “It’s a magical place, and I think there’s someone out there who will love it as much as Chris did and as much as I do.”
As she and Tom prepare for the arrival of their baby boy, Holly is looking forward to taking a step back and fully embracing the next chapter of her life.
“If I’m able to sell the café and completely lean into family life, that’s exactly what I’ll be looking forward to, just giving my undivided attention to home for a while,” she said.
Before she signs off, Holly has a heartfelt message for the people who’ve supported her from day one.
“Being a local girl coming back to a café I once worked at helped me find my feet because our community is so supportive of young people giving business a go,” she said.
“The support I’ve received over the years has been beyond anything I could’ve anticipated. I grew up in Glen Innes, but I didn’t truly understand the meaning of community until I owned a business here. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’ll always be so grateful for it.”
The sale of The Coffee Incident is being managed by Country Wide Property Glen Innes, offering an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for hospitality to take the reins of a thriving, well-loved local business.
As Holly prepares for the sleepless nights and sweet chaos of new motherhood, Glen Innes will no doubt raise a coffee cup in celebration, to new beginnings, fond farewells, and the lasting legacy of a café built on love, caffeine, and connection.
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