COFFEE lovers in the Maryville, Wickham and Carrington areas can add a new haunt to their weekend brunch list.
Hayl Mary, the sister site to Praise Joe, has just opened in the long-vacant storefront on The Lane overlooking Throsby Creek.
"I wanted it to be something completely different," co-owner Hayley Sinkinson said.
"Like different name, different concepts, different look. I just didn't want to do the same thing again, just replicate it in a different space. I said I wanted to do something new."
Hayley and Phillip Gameson have run the very successful Praise Joe sites for many years, putting a strong emphasis on coffee.
Praise Joe Urban Pantry in Tighes Hill was also the first cafe in Newcastle to offer the reusable HuskeeCup, which are made from discarded coffee husks.
The pair had been in talks for about one year negotiating the new Maryville site before the lease was signed in September. But the approvals and fit-out took several months longer than planned, making the opening last week feel like a big victory for the team.
While coffee is still a big part of Hayl Mary, this time there is a renewed focus on food and a seasonal menu with a very busy kitchen on site.
"We're both chefs by trade, and I wanted to be back in a proper kitchen, producing food," Hayley told Newcastle Herald.
"At the moment I'm in a production kitchen, doing all of the food for Praise Joe. I just wanted to be back producing the type of food that I like to cook. I wanted a seasonal menu, I wanted a fun menu, I wanted a creative menu."
The first day saw scones flying out the door with the morning tea crowd, followed by plenty of smashed avo orders around lunch.
The design team at After Dark were brought in for the fit-out of the cafe, the same business that did the Blanca restaurant design at Honeysuckle. While not all the furniture arrived in time for the opening, Hayley said the response from customers had been very positive.
"Everyone seems really happy. Everyone said they love the menu and they said the place is beautiful."
Hayl Mary is open Wednesday to Sunday, 6am to 2pm, at 74 The Lane Maryville.
Feeling hungry? Well good news, it seems the Hunter is getting some food giveaways.
Donut King Stockland Green Hills is celebrating a major milestone this National Donut Day by giving away hundreds of free hot cinnamon doughnuts. This local business is aiming to give away more than 700 free hot cinnis this Friday, June 5, with store owner Gail Mudd aiming to beat last year's record.
Mudd is also celebrating more than 20 years owning the store. We wonder how many doughnuts that adds up to?
On Wednesday, June 10, from 12pm, Oporto, is giving away 15,000 free Portuguese flame grilled quarter chicken and chips to its Flame Rewards loyalty members to mark Dia de Portugal. Oporto's Bondi Burger will also be available for just $5 all day long. There are 13 Hunter stores participating.
If free food is not your priority, maybe legal advice is? The University's free legal clinic Law on the Beach has returned.
It is run by Newcastle law students and the University's Legal Centre lawyers. They can provide advice on a wide range of topics including cost-of-living issues, traffic fines, employment discrimination or online scams.
The 2026 Law on the Beach advice clinics will be located at Merewether Beach Surf Life Saving Club, accessible via the reception area located next to the café. Sessions will be held each Wednesday from June 3 to July 1 between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
No appointment necessary, but clients are encouraged to give the Legal Centre a call to let them know attendance on 02 4921 8666.
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