Saying goodbye to a beloved local gem is never easy, especially when it’s for the happiest of reasons. The Coffee Incident, a cornerstone of Glen Innes’s coffee culture for nearly six years, is officially up for sale as owner Holly Coldham prepares to embrace a new chapter: motherhood. But this isn’t just any farewell—it’s a bittersweet brew of emotions, dreams, and the promise of new beginnings. And this is the part most people miss: how a small café can become a lifeline for a community, and how letting go can be as fulfilling as holding on.
Holly and her partner, Tom, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child, a baby boy due in mid-November. For Holly, this moment marks the end of one dream—owning a café—and the start of another: building a family. “It’s a bittersweet decision,” she admits. “The café has been a huge part of my identity, but family has always been my top priority. I want to do this right.”
Her journey with The Coffee Incident began when she bought the business from her former boss, Chris Glennan, who had owned it for over seven years. After working for Chris and later moving to Toowoomba to dive deeper into the hospitality industry, Holly felt the pull of home. “I asked Chris if he’d sell me the café, and the rest is history,” she recalls. Returning to Glen Innes, where familiar faces and systems awaited, made the transition seamless. “It just felt right,” she says.
What started as a leap into business ownership quickly became a defining chapter in Holly’s life—one filled with early mornings, laughter, lessons, and a deepening love for her community. When she took over, The Coffee Incident was a cozy spot at 316 Grey Street, offering a “simple and effective” menu of coffee, cakes, and toasties. But Holly’s time in Toowoomba had ignited new ideas, particularly about presentation. “I learned the value of a display cabinet,” she explains. “So the first thing I did was buy one. We made it work, even in that tiny space.”
As the café grew, so did Holly’s vision. About 2.5 years ago, she moved to a larger space at 191 Grey Street. “We were bursting at the seams,” she says. The new location allowed for an all-day breakfast menu, a doubled cabinet, and a tripled dining area. “It’s been a game-changer,” she adds. “Our customers love the extra room and the chance to experiment.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: What truly sets The Coffee Incident apart isn’t just its menu—it’s the people. “Our atmosphere is what makes us unique,” Holly insists. “My team is more like a friendship group than colleagues, and customers feel that joy.” Yet, some might argue that a café’s success hinges on its food or location. What do you think? Is it the people or the product that keeps customers coming back?
Running the café hasn’t been without challenges. Holly admits she was “naïve” about the difficulties of business ownership. “I was 24 when I took over, and I had to grow up fast,” she says. “Learning every position and then tackling the business side was overwhelming.” But that steep learning curve has shaped how she mentors her team today. “I love helping others with their budding businesses,” she shares. “Collaborating has become one of my favorite parts of this job.”
As Holly prepares to pass the torch, she hopes the next owner will see the untapped potential of The Coffee Incident. “There’s so much room to grow,” she says. “The venue is licensed, so night events could be amazing. The space could also lend itself to retail or an extended menu.” When asked what she’ll miss most, her answer is immediate: “My team. Their work ethic, energy, and joy are unmatched. That’s what I’ll miss most.”
For now, the café continues to serve up its signature warmth, coffee, and heartfelt service. “The café deserves energy and attention,” Holly says. “It’s a magical place, and I know someone out there will love it as much as I do.” As she embraces motherhood, Holly is excited to step back and focus on family. “I’m looking forward to giving my undivided attention to home for a while,” she says.
Before signing off, Holly has a heartfelt message for her community: “The support I’ve received has been beyond anything I could’ve imagined. I grew up in Glen Innes, but I didn’t truly understand the meaning of community until I owned a business here. It’s been incredible, and I’ll always be grateful.”
The sale of The Coffee Incident, managed by Country Wide Property Glen Innes, offers a rare opportunity to take the reins of a thriving, well-loved business. As Holly prepares for sleepless nights and the sweet chaos of motherhood, Glen Innes will undoubtedly raise a coffee cup in celebration—to new beginnings, fond farewells, and the legacy of a café built on love, caffeine, and connection.
Thought-provoking question for you: In a world where businesses come and go, what makes a local café like The Coffee Incident truly irreplaceable? Is it the coffee, the community, or something deeper? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
