Word-of-mouth attracts customers

Carloyn Mandersloot, Indianna, Harper and Michael Hehir at their restaurant Capelli on Duke.

Craig Warhurst

MICHAEL Hehir and wife Carolyn Mandersloot, with their two children, are living the dream of running their own restaurant.

They moved to Gympie from Shepparton, Victoria, in 2005 to run Kingston House Restaurant and when the three-year lease was up, they took the opportunity to purchase a local house to renovate it into a restaurant.

After doing just that, they opened Capelli on Duke in December 2009 and the place has been booked out on most weekends – even before they had received their liquor licence and despite no advertising.

The good word was spread entirely by word-of-mouth and loyal diners have continued to dine at Capelli on Duke for the selection of share plates and tapas – a new dining concept for Gympie.

They recently received a long-awaited liquor licence which has given them an opportunity to put together a boutique wine list.

Capelli on Duke, has been created to provide a calm and tranquil atmosphere with room for functions, private meeting space and al fresco dining – under the magnificent old Poinsettia tree.

The owners pride themselves on providing excellent service.