THE MENTAL Lentil Burger Bar will open this Saturday, July 15, at the old Flamingo Café site at 91 Murwillumbah Street, adding another delicious vegetarian food option to the Tweed Valley.
Owners and married couple Terry and Tracey Vine (pictured above) have always wanted to open a small business and decided on Murwillumbah after falling in love with the town.
Originally from England, the couple moved to Australia in 1992 and had lived on the Gold Coast for the past 12 years.
Having returned earlier this year from a six-month contract living and working in Saigon, Vietnam, they decided on settling in Murwillumbah.
“Over the years we always found our weekends revolved around riding (motorcycles) or driving to northern NSW and we fell for the stunning countryside and the slower pace of life and nicer people,” Terry said.
“Being a fair old jaunt for work for the both of us, we decided that if we were to move to Murwillumbah we would have to consider a new business venture locally.
“We’ve always wanted to open a ‘cafe-style’ business, but not quite a café.”
The Mental Lentil Burger Bar is based around healthy and tasty vegetarian foods with a name that conjures up a fun and modern place to visit.
The business will also offer Merlo Coffee in the “coffee corner” as well as a juice bar known as the “juice joint”.
“The old Flamingo cafe has been totally remodelled with a trendy bar-style sitting area inside and a casual traditional sitting area outside in the Alfresco spot,” Terry said.
“Inside, the design and fit out is both interesting and unique with a featured ‘mental’ ceiling.
“We want to create a real trendy vibe in a modern environment and at the same time offer something a little different on the menu.”
The days of Yacht design and building is now behind Terry and Tracey who has recently finished work at Palm Beach/Currumbin high school where she was an executive assistant to the Principal.
Opening date is scheduled for this Saturday, July 15.
