If you’ve been in Newstead recently, there’s been a name on everyone’s lips (and coffee cups)... Fraser’s ☕️
Founded by our very own Teneriffe rider and coffee extraordinaire, Fraser Rubens, you will find us down the road at 12 Commercial Road, Newstead literally every day.
This is the best coffee shop in the bubble, period. Coffee, pastries, toasties and cookies — this is the menu dreams are made of!
But undoubtedly, the best part of Fraser’s is the man behind the machine himself. We’re so INSPIRED by Fraser we thought we’d share his journey with you!
Congratulations on Fraser’s! Tell us about your journey to opening.
Thank you so much! The whole journey has felt so surreal in the best possible way. I’ve always wanted to open my own cafe, but I had it pegged for sometime in my mid-30s (I’m currently 28). I thought I had to wait to learn all the business skills you need in order to open a cafe, but as I got deeper into the opening process, I realised that the only way to learn is by throwing yourself in the deep end and just doing it!
I found the Fraser’s space at the beginning of July, and have spent every waking hour since sitting in or thinking about the cafe. I got extremely lucky to have found a space that feels like a good extension of who I am as a person; you step inside, and it really does feel like a piece of me is here at all times. Even though it’s only a month old, I’ve been floored by how busy it’s been, so much more than I ever expected. I always get a smile on my face when I see one of my Inspire queens come through the door!!
Why was Newstead the best place in Brisbane to open?
I’ve lived in Newstead since I moved out of home at 18, so it was an obvious choice for me to set up shop in the bubble. I love it here, and the sense of community around Newstead is unrivalled. For those of you who know me and who have come into cafes I have worked at over the years, you’ll know that nobody loves their job more than I do. It’s an absolute privilege to feed and caffeinate the people around me every day, so when the opportunity arose to do what I love most in my very own space, I jumped at the chance. The outpouring of support from the Inspire gang and the wider Newstead community has been incredible, and I’m so thankful for the support from each and every person who’s come into Fraser’s!
How many coffees do you drink a day?
I used to drink so many, like five or six cups a day, but the older I get the more sensitive I am to caffeine - I’m in my boomer era! Nowadays, I limit myself to one shot in the morning, and a watered-down cold brew (you can thank Suzie for introducing me to that!) in the afternoon if I’m headed to the gym or spin for that lil buzz to get me through one of Caitlin’s killer classes!
You’ve got the best coffee in town! What makes Fraser’s coffee so special?
It’s my own custom blend, so you won’t find this coffee in any other cafe. It was really important to me when opening my own place that everything was uniquely Fraser’s. It was my goal to have a coffee blend that reflected my tastes and the space itself, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.
Not to get too cheesy, but I do believe that a coffee tastes best when it’s made with love. I absolutely love what I do, and care about serving up each and every cup with pride and a smile. You’ll never catch me at the cafe in a bad mood because I get to live my dream each and every single day.
What’s your order?
I love to rock a lil piccolo most of the time, but I also love an oat iced latte with honey during the summer (gotta keep it real for my girlies).
What’s been a real ‘pinch me’ moment?
That very first day I was open, I was blown away. There was a line out the door and a rack full of dockets, and while it was pumping, the irreplaceable gang of Inspire girlies (my day ones, my ride or dies, you know who tf you are) came in and Caitlin, in a packed venue, shouted “DIVAAAAAA” at the top of her lungs and gave me the biggest squeeze. That made it feel real, having some of my favourite people in my very own cafe, supporting me on my very first day. I’ll never forget it.
Fraser’s is everyone’s new go-to! What has the community support meant to you?
I literally wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of the Newstead community. The constant and sustained outpouring of support from everyone who lives, works, and exercises in this suburb has been life-changing. I put so much of myself into every cup of coffee and every toastie I make, and it’s the least I can do to pay that back to the people around me.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given OR your best advice for someone thinking about following their dream?
The best advice I’ve been given was by a guy named Felipe who owns a cafe down near my parents’ home in Northern NSW. He told me that no matter how busy I get, I always have to drink plenty of water, eat my vegetables, get lots of good sleep, and stretch + exercise; if you don’t take care of your body, it’s a recipe for disaster. That’s why it’s so amazing to team up with the Inspire gang, because you help me help myself by keeping me gasping for air on that bike!!
Love you all lots and lots, F xx
Next weekend, we’re doing an INSPIRE X FRASER’S special! Join Caitlin at 10:00am, 5 October where Fraser will be riding podium, then head to Fraser’s for a sneaky discount on your pre- or post-class coffee (and toastie of course!)
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