The Grind & Co. Is Alexandria's New 20ft Shipping Container Cafe

Alexandria’s hungry, thirsty workers and visitors are gaining a fun, fresh new haunt. On Thursday, September 17, a new specialty coffee and food bar known as The Grind & Co will open its doors in the Heritage Business Park. Not only is the venue promising excellent coffee and a scrumptious-sounding menu, but it also comes in a custom-made shipping container. So every snack break will feel a bit like a seagoing adventure.

“I’ve long wanted to bring something exciting and unique to Sydney,” said Christine Ousman, who owns and runs The Grind & Co in collaboration with her husband, Rani. “I designed the plans twelve months ago and have been looking for the right location. I had such a strong vision for the look, layout and mood of the shipping container. I knew I needed to find a place where I could drop it — and build the place surrounding it — rather than the other way around.”

The Ousmans are no newbies to the hospitality game. Rani has been a barista for fifteen years and the duo has run the successful Deluxe & Co Beverage Catering for the past four years.

The Grind & Co’s big hook is its majestic, mirrored copper La Marzocco three-group coffee machine, where the coffee-obsessed Rani will be whipping up delicious brews made from Deluxe & Co’s premium, 100 percent Arabica, sustainable blend. You can also expect some innovative specialty coffee experiments, of the hot, cold drop and iced varieties.

Meanwhile, on the food front, you’ll be tucking into gourmet sandwiches and wraps, made onsite every day. “There’s a massive focus on freshness and high quality,” says Christine. “One of our signature dishes will be our Middle Eastern-inspired zaatar wrap, with rocket, olives, tomatoes, onions and yoghurt mint dressing.” During summer, special barbecues will be held on Fridays, featuring special dishes, like barbecue burgers and gourmet sausages, accompanied by housemade lemonade and flavoured sparking water.

In keeping with The Grind & Co’s emphasis on freshness, Christine has designed the shipping container to house multiple vertical herb gardens, while rustic benches will provide seating for up to 40 guests at a time. “We’re in such a great little spot. I’m really excited about doing something that I’m passionate about, that hasn’t been done in Sydney before.”

The Grind & Co will open between 7am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, at Heritage Business Park, 5-9 Ricketty Street, Alexandria. Open from Thursday, September 17,