Co-op News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", Aug/Sep 2006

Rebirthing The UpFront Club
by Ruth Parnell

When I turned up in the early evening of the reopening night on Monday 26 June, the Club was already jumping and business was brisk at the sparkling new counters.

The alley was abuzz with conversation, laughter and the clashing of cutlery on crockery, and TRN journo Arcadia Love was taking happy snaps amidst the bustle. The backyard was brimming with more familiar faces who'd returned to check out the new vibe, having been deprived of their favourite venue for several weeks during the renovations. Inside, I could hardly take in the wonderful new decor for all the patrons.

To get so many here on such short notice, the bush telegraph in Maleny had to be extremely efficient!

The kitchen and bar staff were put to the test with the unexpectedly large number of guests. Long-time members Tina Cooper and Toni Walker even stepped in to offer volunteering hands in serving and clearing when things got extra busy.

The usual Monday night Musos' Blackboard was put off for a special appearance by the Gold Coast–based Tijuana Cartel, whose sounds and rhythms were so infectious that before long diners were moving the tables and chairs aside to create dancing space. I was among the dance-floor tribe and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of world-flamenco-funk music with guitar, percussion, keyboards and Apple laptop treatments.

It was a huge night and the atmosphere was so positive and exhilarating that it spoke in spades of a bright future for the Club.

Feedback on the renovations

This refurbishment heralds a new phase in The UpFront Club's history, so I wanted to get some feedback for the record from long-time members who were there on the night and have visited the Club since then. Naturally, I only have space for comments from a few folks. I also wanted to acknowledge all the hard work that's gone on behind the scenes to make the revitalised Club a reality – for which we need to thank Club operations manager Kelly Robson and all the supportive Club staff as well as Maple Street Co-op manager Alan Harrington and all the directors.

Commenting on the renovations, member and supporter Terri Bates said she's impressed with how they've turned out so beautifully. She added that the Club reminds her of her previous life amongst houses of character in ye olde England. She said she appreciates how "every table is different, every chair has its own history", referring to the collection of antique pieces lovingly collected by Kelly and now furnishing the Club's interior. Terri had actually decided not to look in on the Club until the renovations were finished. "It means a lot to me because it's an extension of my dining room," she confided. And she's not the only one to feel this sort of at-home connection with the UpFront Club.

Terri admitted to being apprehensive about plans for some walls inside the Club to be painted black. "I had a vision of stock-standard black and chrome; just another big-city café like you see in almost every big town in the Western world! I was absolutely rapt to see it's not the way it's been done at all."

Club staffer Hannah Bruzova also had concerns at the "painted black" prospect: "Now that I see it, it's got a warmth, complemented by the photos, paintings and furniture. Certainly a lot of congratulations go to Kelly, due to the deep thought put into it."

Rid Kennedy, a member of the Club since it was founded in 1994, had this to say: "In a nutshell, they have done a marvellous job of retaining the character and the ambience of the Club. They've lifted its appearance, making it not ‘Sydney' but a really comfortable, clean, lovely place."

Carmel Givens, also a founding member, commented favourably that the Club is now "appealing to a wider variety of clientele" and praised the new interior design and decoration. She also loves the way the rural character of the old building has been retained. "It's a feel-good thing more than anything. We have to congratulate Kelly because she's done a brilliant job."

Rosann Foote said that the eclectic combination of furniture is "lovely and creative; unique".

Chopper pilot and Club regular Peter Doyle had his perspective on the refurbishment: "I think it's excellent. I don't know what the budget was, but I don't think they could have done anything better. I think they have retained the atmosphere, and I like it. The first time I heard the sound system, I thought it was great. You don't have big speakers booming. It seems easier to listen to. You can have a conversation and hear the music a lot better."

Rid Kennedy also gave a vote of thanks to Co-op and former Club director Tony Woodhouse for keeping and restoring the original floorboards. "He made the old floors look like a very old ship," Rid said in admiration. Rid also likes the fact that "you can see through the bar to the back" in the new layout.

In fact, Rid and Carmel were at the original meeting in 1994 that decided on the Club's name. Rid said they were told the place had to be knocked down, but there were plans to develop the lower block. "It was to become 'The DownBack Club'", so by default the street building came to be named "The UpFront Club". The name was accepted for its double meaning as well as its honesty.

Carmel noted that the first group of women (including Richenda Bridge and herself) who got together to perform at the Club called themselves "Women UpFront", but soon had to change their name to "Women OutFront". But knowing that members are being invited to comment on whether or not to change the Club's name, Carmel said: "I love the name as it is. I still call it 'The Club'."

Long-time patron Chris Gwin told me in no uncertain terms: "'Exquisite' is the word that comes to mind when I look at the new UpFront Club."

Interested member Lindsay Kruger had been concerned that the new look was going to be "too middle class", but is pleasantly surprised at how the character has been kept. However, he would like to see more posters and pamphlets up on the Club's noticeboard publicising local issues; this would connect the Club to the town and give it even more character and soul, he said.

So what does Club operations manager Kelly Robson think about the refurbishment? Has it lived up to expectation, to the vision she's been nurturing for so long? "In some ways it's exceeded expectation. I was startled at how beautiful it turned out to be," she said. "I remember saying the tourists won't walk past – and we're getting the tourists! I can see some regulars adjust to the new trade. Some are ecstatic with the Club. I wanted all walks of life to be happy when they came here."

The revamped interior incorporates two new raised, bordered stage areas to cater for different performers or to accommodate tables and chairs. Kelly elaborated on her design strategy: "I like split levels: they create more interest in a room."

When I asked Kelly in mid-July about what's been happening behind the scenes, she said: "The kitchen has less walking room and more equipment. We're still adjusting." But they're adjusting well, and the Club now has 21 staff. "They're an amazing team and I can't praise them enough," she said. "They've assisted with the renovations with physical help and with passion. We would still be closed if they hadn't come on board. They've been very patient with each other, and it's been a really bonding, team-building experience."

On the comestibles side, Kelly said the Club has an interesting winter menu (we'd all concur with this!), and that it is working in with the Co-op to purchase organic supplies to maximise efficiency. She also praised chef Sonia Allen for her efforts in training up other staff.

As for her assessment of the show so far, Kelly said: "I feel like we've succeeded; it does feel 'homey' inside, especially with the furniture. It's comfortable and clean. The paintings and photos are interesting. There's lots to look at."

Daniel Jones (well known for his six-week tree-sit in 2004 in protest against plans for the Woolworths supermarket) noted: "With the facelift, it's really improved the appearance but has managed to keep the homeliness and the welcome feel the Club used to have. Some people were worried it would be a little cold, but it's a warm, inviting atmosphere."

In fact, it's so warm and inviting that it is attracting more and more patrons: not just more long-time members, but locals who haven't ventured in before as well as curious tourists. The fact that the Club reopened in the middle of winter seems not to have deterred patronage. The momentum has been kept up, Kelly said.

Of the general feel of the refurbished Club, Hannah remarked: "I think the energy has changed for the better; it's cleaner and clearer. It's almost as if, since the cold room was moved, the feng shui has changed. It seems a lot more open, not only physically but with regard to the way people are coming in here."

She noted that diners are commenting positively on the quality and presentation of the meals, and added that "the Club is now a well-run ship and the staff are very happy". And with the new front counter, "it seems a lot easier to be able to converse with the patrons".

I couldn't help but notice that the cosy bay window couch with cumfy cushions and the strategic lampshade touches across the room add to the appeal, and I have to agree with Hannah's assessment: "What Kelly was trying to do was create a bohemian, eclectic environment, and I think she's certainly done that."

Admittedly, I've suggested to Kelly that the odd lava lamp wouldn't go astray. Nothing like an out-of-synch touch of '60s retro amidst the bohemian!

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2006 ; published by
The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au, website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]