Meet the couple behind some of Newcastle's favourite cafes
It’s that time again where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.
For our 26th instalment of SPILL, we’re catching up with the couple behind some of Newcastle's favourite cafes, Josh and Meckenzie of Paper Run Espresso, Corner House, and 23hundred Espresso.
Josh, Milana, Meckenzie
Firstly, what and where would people across Newcastle recognise you from?
More chances than not if you’ve ever visited Newcastle East or Merewether we’ve probably served you a coffee or two over the years. We are the owners of 23hundred Newcastle East, 23hundred Newcastle West, Paper Run Espresso, Corner House Cafe in Cooks Hill, and we recently sold Akuna in Merewether.
Where are you both from originally?
We both grew up in Northern NSW – Josh grew up in a little town called Burringbar, and I wasn’t far away in a town called Pottsville.
What made you decide to make Newcastle home?
Both growing up in a small local area, we’d been together since high school and decided we wanted to move away for uni and study and live somewhere new.
Newcastle was our first stop of three locations. We booked a weekend down here to visit, and instantly fell in love with the place. So much so, we never even tried the second or third location. We landed in Newcastle East, and it’s been home to us ever since.
What’s your morning ritual?
We’re definitely early birds, it’s rare we see the night past 8:30pm these days.
Our morning routines are a little different now with a baby. We’re on a little less early morning shifts at the cafes for both of us.
Although we’re not on the 5am opens anymore, we still love to get up early, grab our coffee from 23hundred and do our usual walk around the Nobbys to Newcastle beach.
Then it’s feeding time at the zoo before Josh is off to work and I do the rounds at the cafes with Milana.
What’s your coffee order?
Josh is a small double-shot oat latte, and I’m a small skim cap.
Speaking of coffee, which local venue knows your order off by heart?
Honestly, even before we owned 23hundred it was our first ‘regular’ place we went to when we first moved to Newcastle. It became our local early morning spot for coffee before we went on our morning walk. So safe to say the girls (should) have our order down pat by now!
Tell me about your biggest career highlight…
We both agree that converting the old newsagency in Merewether into Paper Run Espresso was definitely a career highlight!
In 2023, we got to build a business from scratch, creating the brand, and also organising the entire build ourselves with no idea of the logistics that goes into a commercial fitout.
The process was long and felt like it was never going to get there, but we did, and it was so much fun! To build a business from scratch and now see it as a staple for locals in the area – and at times a line out the door on the weekend – is a pretty rewarding feeling!
In your spare time, what are your THREE top favourite things to do in Newcastle?
1. During the warmer months, we love to take the 4WD onto the beach with friends, pack a picnic, and set up for the day.
2. Sunday morning markets at Broadmeadow are now a regular occurrence for us (a cheeky iced cappuccino from Nixx and inside has the best salmon bagels in Newcastle).
3. We often love a simple picnic by Newcastle harbour with some fish and chips.
If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them?
During the day, a walk around Nobby’s to Newcastle Beach is enough to dazzle them most of the time, but if we’re going out for a nice dinner, we’ve always been long-time favourites of Parry Street Garage. The lamb ragu never fails!
Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice and where do you frequently visit?
I’m (Meckenzie) a lemonade drinker, and Josh will drink whatever’s cold. The Great Northern Hotel is our local and bias favourite (we both worked there during our university days).
On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile?
Our daughter Milana makes this one too easy.
What do you NEVER leave the house without?
If you asked me this question 12 months ago, I would have said a laptop and my apron, but now it’s a nappy bag and spare change of clothes!
We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter – tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breathe by and why you couldn’t live without them…
1. The Falcon Restaurant – ‘Falcon Friday’ is a ritual in our house, can’t go past their Nashville Burger!
2. Lueur Hair Studio – hair is almost as essential as coffee!
3. Watt Street Athletic – Adrian & Demi started around the same time we started at 23hundred. They’ve created such an amazing and inclusive community around the East End, and they make the gym a little less daunting!
What are you reading / watching / listening to now?
Nothing educational at the moment haha. We’ve just finished Mobland and loved it. Currently searching for some new series to watch so please send some suggestions our way!
If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?
Mid-North Coast is always the perfect spot. It’s got great beachside and national park camping, and it’s only a few hours of travel to get there which is super convenient. Trial Bay Gaol is a favourite amongst the pick when camping.
What’s your go-to playlist?
Chris Stapleton Radio on repeat, we both love country music.
What would you like to see more of in Newcastle?
We loved when Elton John came to town, when the Air Force had their airshow, and every year when the Boardriders Battle is on at Newcastle Beach. The energy in town over those weekends is great for everyone and includes everyone! So, more of that.
Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL?
Newcastle’s OG matcha King & Queen (Sophie and Mat – founders of Raw Nutrition by Soph). These guys first introduced us to matcha before it exploded onto the Newcastle scene. We use their product in our shops, and we’re super proud of how much their brand has grown!
