Minnie Masters and Robbie Pugh, the friendly faces behind Arlo's Coffee Caravan at Merewether and Cooks Hill, have opened their first brick-and-mortar cafe.
It's called Spur, and it's found a home at the former Second Fiddle cafe at Hamilton, near Gregson Park.
"We have always dreamt of having our own little cafe with a spot to bake out the back where we can bring out freshly baked treats throughout the day," Minnie told Food & Wine.
"It's our first brick-and-mortar cafe and we decided to go ahead with a larger then anticipated renovation to make an environment for the local community, and for friends, to meet for brunch and a cuppa.
"Robbie has previously worked in two separate cafes on Beaumont street and has always enjoyed the diverse people you meet and get to know in the area.
"We loved the outlook and position - across from Gregson Park - and envisioned it to be a nice spot to either dine in and take in the morning rays or to grab a takeaway and go for a walk in the park or play some tennis."
Robbie, a keen surfer, grew up in Crescent Head and moved to Newcastle six years ago to study commerce at the University of Newcastle.
Minnie grew up in Port Macquarie and moved to Newcastle four years ago.
"Robbie has worked in cafes and restaurants around Newcastle and it inspired him to one day have a cafe of his own," Minnie explains.
"I started working in my aunt and uncle's busy kiosk, Salty Crew Kiosk, on Port Macquarie town beach from about age 14.
"My nan owned a cafe back in the day, then my uncle, so I grew up around the cafe environment."
Minnie and Robbie opened Arlo's in December 2021, inspired by a one-month holiday exploring the South Island of New Zealand.
"We loved the idea of having a coffee caravan and owning our own business so when we returned home we spent months researching and learning before opening Arlo's in Merewether," Minnie says.
"We both worked every single day in the van for three months until we hired our first employee.
"After a while we had so many awesome staff on board now that we knew we could open a second one in Cooks Hill, and still have enough staff across both."
Arlo's is known for its toasties, bagels and home-baked goods. Crowd favourites include the jalapeno and cheese bagel, and the ham and cheese toastie.
At Spur, bagels and toasties are just the beginning. Minnie says she's "obsessed" with the breakfast plates.
"They're basically like a cheese board but for breakfast - you mix and match ingredients with toast ... garlic butter beans have been very popular," she says.
"I love trying new things for the menu. At the beginning of Arlo's I baked a couple of times a week, hoping we could get more people buying my baking ... it's funny because I now have staff helping me to keep up with the demand.
"I love baking new things, like a new cake or cookie flavour; it always keeps the baking fresh and enjoyable for me."
Robbie and Minnie's vision for Spur's aesthetic was to keep it simple, and to take advantage of the morning sun.
"We envisioned minimal, white, navy blue and silver colours; we love anything stainless if you can't tell," she says, laughing.
"We are so stoked with how it's turned out! The mornings here are so lovely and we have big open windows with lots of morning sun.
"We are loving getting to know new faces in the area and are so thankful for all the support on our opening."
