With the lifting of restrictions, the Sandgate based one-stop-shop has officially reopened their doors for dine-in customers.

Keeping business operating during COVID-19 restrictions, owner Jess Eckford-Aguilera and her team came up with new ways to keep their loyal customers full of all the great Newcastle Food & Flower Markets produce. Delivering their goodness, brekky and grazing boxes across Newcastle and Lake Mac as well as flowers and plants all available online ordering.

“We were lucky that we had introduced our goodness boxes a few months before COVID-19 hit. We just ramped those up and it's been such a positive response from our locals,” Jess said.

But what sits at the core of the Newcastle Food and Flower markets, is the bustling community environment it creates when the doors are open to the public.

“This place is absolutely vibing when it was all open. People would spend hours in here. It is such a destination for that day-long shopping,” Jess said.

Like many of us, Jess and the team are still trying to grasp this new reality of COVID-19, however are incredibly grateful to have a healthy team and to be operating.

“It has been so surreal and it still is so surreal for everyone. No one will ever forget this. The fact that your freedom gets taken away from you has been the hardest thing. I feel like one of the lucky ones, because there are so many other amazing hospitality businesses out there that may not recover from this. I’m definitely grateful that we can be here.”

What was originally just a flower market, owner Jess Eckford-Aguilera has created a hub in the otherwise quiet area of Sandgate to bring people together to celebrate all things good food & drink, florals and greenery! The entire venue is split up into four separate spaces; café, flower bar, produce section and the nursery.

Café

The café ceiling is beautifully adorned with the hanging floral arrangement which could keep your kids (and yourself) looking to in awe for hours. The menu has goodies for everyone with your typical big breakfast and special flavours like the house-made lemon curd crumpets, complete your dine-in experience with a much needed cup of coffee.

Flower Bar 

Being a florist with plenty of experience up her sleeves, it’s no surprise to see that the floral bar is still well and truly pumping. A favourite for local florists as well as for customers wanting to spruik up their home, the flower range is full of locally grown blooms, as well as ordered in goodies.

Produce Section

This is where the one-stop shop comes into action. From meat and dairy, to baked goods, fruit, veggies and pantry items, you can literally pick up all you need in their produce section. With all the produce being Australian made, you can buy knowing you’re helping the local economy.

Nursery 

Green thumbs rejoice! The huge greenhouse is brimming with all the most amazing green goodness you could want. From your trending house plants to something for the garden; you’ll find all your green-thumb needs here.

Looking to the future, Jess and her team are focussing on where their produce is coming from and working on creating lots of homemade goodies available to take home; relishes and lemon-curd are amongst the current favourites.

For the lovers of all things floral, good local produce, a green thumb and always looking for a new café to check out; pop-in to Newcastle Food & Flower markets and help a local business stay afloat during these tough times!