Our Story

At 6.00am, on a March day in Brisbane the sky was clear, blue and crisp. The sun had already risen and warmed the atmosphere, welcoming in what would be the first day of business for Ground Alchemy, a very special New Farm enterprise.

In 2022, after five years as a specialist coffee café also in New Farm, the concept of Ground Alchemy was conceived and crafted into reality by Imagineer Britt Ayling. Ultimately, this unique venture was the culmination of her lifetime in design, hospitality and business skills. But it was also the manifestation of Britt’s spirit and heartfelt desire to promote health and happiness for mind, body and planet.

On that March day, customers made their way into a post-modern Queensland world to find the installation of a long timber service bar hosting a fabulous retro-inspired state-of-the-art coffee machine. They found a choice of seating in the form of polished wood coffee tables and black, bentwood chairs, the bench seating on the back wall provided a satisfying big picture view, while those inclined were guided to watch the world pass by sitting on forest-green velvet chairs positioned under a huge industrial chandelier.

Within these original tongue and groove walls, the spirit of Ground Alchemy manifested, growing and extending through two double interior doors directly spilling into an area where rays of dappled sun rays tapped the shoulders of diners, their families and furry friends. The filtered light, high-ceilings, free-flowing air stream, terracotta coloured walls and black and white floor tiles featuring a classic European pattern, set-up a tone of casual elegance perfect for the location of a Plantarium - a retail habitat for thriving green plants, artistic creations and creative tableaux.

On that typically beautiful sub-tropical day, the 1922 building at 154 Merthyr Road transitioned into a place that an Expresso Elixir Bar, Organic wholefood menu, Plantarium, Vintage and health and Wellness retail, would come to call home. The rich and varied aspect of the business was augmented with the collaboration of three dynamic ladies, Dayna Williams of Pacha Yumma providing wholesome food, Jodie Grier (Retro Gertie) offering a curated selection of vintage goods, and Gail Forrer, bringing together specially selected air-purifying plants and creative accessories by Brisbane based artists to the Plantarium.

The philosophy underpinning Ground Alchemy - both the people and place – embraces concepts of creating with passion, substance, vitality and lots of love. Within this context, yet in tune with the times, there is a deep respect for consistency of excellence in the provision of service and products, on the other hand, an understanding of the inherent vitality of change feeds Ground Alchemy’s energetic approach to sourcing and presenting new and rich streams of life-enhancing products.

Long beyond opening day, it is envisioned that Ground Alchemy’s founding business ethos, heart-philosophy, design and style, will see that each and every customer will be delighted, nourished and enlivened by the special offerings of coffee, food, service, vintage furniture, indoor plants, space and place.