Brief
Dean Merlo discusses Brisbane’s coffee culture and small‑business support
Merlo highlights the city’s vibrant coffee scene and calls for increased funding for community clubs.
By Felo News Desk · Published
In a recent interview on CityChats, Dean Merlo, founder of Merlo Coffee, spoke about the evolving café culture in Brisbane and the challenges faced by small businesses. Merlo, who has been president of the New Farm Bowls Club for a decade, expressed a desire for more financial assistance to keep community clubs open, noting that grant money is hard to secure.
Merlo praised Brisbane’s coffee scene, describing it as a “morning place” where people appreciate quality extraction and conversation about coffee. He explained that his family’s background in the hospitality industry—his father’s Milano restaurant—shaped his understanding of both the rewards and hardships of running a food business.
Key facts
- Dean Merlo is founder of Merlo Coffee (smh.com.au)
- Merlo has been president of New Farm Bowls Club for 10 years (smh.com.au)
- Merlo calls for more financial support for small businesses and community clubs (smh.com.au)
- Merlo praises Brisbane’s coffee culture and quality extraction (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Brisbane’s coffee king on the city’s new cafe scene”
