People power saves Barn on Flaxton

“It’s hard to even explain how grateful we are”: Barn on Flaxton owners Danielle Birks, left, and Jason and Ange Bowen are back in business. 

“Amazing community support” has helped save a much-loved Flaxton business from closure after lease negotiations broke down and then rose from the ashes last week.

On Sunday (June 5) The Barn on Flaxton was days from closure as their lease was due to expire. Then came an outpouring of community support online.

By Wednesday afternoon tears turned to cheers in a remarkable turnaround that saw the lease renegotiated. 

“The community concern and amazing support has saved us,” said Ange Bowen who co-owns the business with husband Jason and Danielle Birks. “We had so many well wishes and prayers. This was an absolute saviour to our business. We always knew we had a really great community up here, but this was overwhelming. Customers were crying and many came to help us pack when all looked lost.” 

“It’s been surprising in that the quietest little customers have come in and supported us and been quite vocal,” said Danielle. “We do a lot of charity work and community work which means the Barn has become a community hub and I think that support has been returned to us in a very real way. It wasn’t just empty offers it was practical, immediate hands-on help.” 

Jason said the team strived to give the Barn a warm, homely atmosphere. “And we hope the customers feel that,” said Jason. “We like to think it’s more than a cup of coffee here. We’ve made true friends in this business. They’re not just customers, they become part of a family. We don’t want people to feel like they’re just a number. 

“The locals are our bread and butter. The main message we want to get across is to thank the community. Their voices were heard, loud and clear, and we are very grateful.”

“We did the post on Sunday night and then cried,” said Ange. “And then everything turned around thanks to our customers.”

“It’s hard to even explain how grateful we are,” said Danielle.

The Barn was much more than a coffee shop venue, according to Kevin McAney, a Flaxton resident and a volunteer for Restoring Hope Parkinson’s Therapy and Nambour and District Parkinson’s Support Group. 

“It has definitely become somewhat of a ‘Community Hub’ and a place that the locals enjoy going to and feel welcomed every time.  Ange, Jason and Danielle, together with the staff, have given so much back to the local community and dedicated their lives to the business. 

“They have been a huge support to Restoring Hope and the local Parkinson’s community. It would have been a tragedy if they could not continue. I am so glad that the community decided that they would take action. We could not lose the ‘Barn-acles’.” 

Staff celebrated with a special dinner Sunday night. It turned into a triple-celebration as it was Jason’s 50th birthday on Monday June 6 and the business’s three-year anniversary on June 10. 

• The Barn on Flaxton is at 445 Flaxton Drive, Flaxton,  thebarnonflaxton@yahoo.com, 5400 2444.