HANNA SLOAN
A LOCAL business owner has been left in disbelief after his café was broken into and a coffee machine was stolen as Tropical Cyclone Jasper raged on.
In a disheartening turn of events for Palm Cove’s Espresso and Co café, owner David Calcagno arrived at his business on Thursday morning only to discover that it had been looted overnight.
The stolen coffee machine was the café’s second machine, used in the business’s coffee cart for markets and events, meaning the establishment was still able to reopen following the brief closure due to the cyclone.
The incident left Calcagno and his team grappling with the unexpected setback, disrupting their usual morning routine, as did running short-staffed as team members could not make their way to work.
Surveying the post-cyclone scene, Calcagno was dismayed to discover that someone had taken advantage of the chaos and broken into the café’s storeroom.
“You wonder why some people would be so low and desperate to do this at a vulnerable time,” he said.
“We should all be caring for family and friends and the safety of everyone.”
Despite the setback, Calcagno remains resilient, expressing gratitude for the community’s support in the aftermath of the incident.
Police are actively investigating the break-in, as well as others that took place in Trinity Beach on the same night.
As the community rallies behind Espresso and Co, Calcagno is determined to overcome this setback, ensuring that the café continues to provide its signature brews and welcoming ambiance to Palm Cove residents and visitors alike.
Surveying the post-cyclone scene, Calcagno was dismayed to discover that someone had taken advantage of the chaos and broken into the café’s locked storage room, making off with their second coffee machine.
The incident adds a layer of frustration to the cafe’s recovery efforts, as the region is still facing torrential rain and flood warnings.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Carols in the Park to go ahead and UMI Arts calling for First Nations artists.
