Paper Boy has closed the doors, and reopened as Sessions Surf & Espresso

If Paper Boy Espresso in Dudley was part of your daily coffee routine, you’ll no doubt have panicked when the doors closed on Sunday, September 27.

Owner Mitch Samways decided it was time to call time on the cafe as he knew it – but only for a few days.

On Wednesday September 30, the Dudley favourite reopened with a new name, new look, and a much broader offering that brings together two of Mitch’s passions – hospitality and retail.

For Mitch, Paper Boy Espresso was his first step into the hospo scene. As the owner of local surf brand Lone Clothing, which launched in 2016, he was already all too familiar with the work involved in running a successful small business, but admits hospitality is a challenge on another level.  

The decision to rebrand and re-jig the business came after navigating what has been a challenging time in recent years. Rather than continuing to operate Paper Boy Espresso and grind it into the ground, Mitch took the opportunity to rethink the business and put everything he has into making it work for the long term.

First opening in November 2023, Mitch transformed the space into a neighbourhood cafe. Since then, it’s become exactly that – a proper local, with Mitch estimating around 80% of his daily trade coming from regulars.

“It’s a really great community and I don’t want to piss them off by changing things up, but it’s what I need to do to continue to operate and evolve as a business,” Mitch said.

So, what exactly is changing?

The cafe isn't going anywhere. Coffee, toasties, baked goods and acai bowls will all remain with Mitch saying the menu is now an expanded offering of many of the cafe’s much-loved favourites. 

The space, however, will take on a new direction.

Reopening as Sessions Surf & Espresso, the venue has introduced a retail component featuring Mitch’s own Lone Clothing brand alongside surf products, merchandise, and a selection of independent Australian labels that Mitch is keen to bring to Newcastle.

The fit-out has been changed up with Mitch explaining, 

“We’ve significantly expanded the retail area within the cafe and created additional dining spaces. We’ll now have seating for around 55 people, up from approximately 25, which is really exciting!”

It’s a concept inspired by the surf-meets-cafe spaces Mitch has experienced on the Gold Coast and in Bali – places where you can grab a coffee and something to eat, but also browse clothing, surf gear, without the two sides feeling separate.

For Mitch, it also means creating a business that better reflects what he enjoys doing.

He’s just as passionate about retail as he is hospitality, and after experiencing the realities of operating a cafe, the new concept gives him the opportunity to bring more of those interests together under the one roof.

And while Paper Boy Espresso may be disappearing from Dudley, the community that has formed around it isn't something Mitch intends to leave behind. With plans to extend trading hours in the future to include afternoon drinks, Mitch isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon. 

Photo credit: Jemma Darling 

This article was produced by HUNTERhunter in partnership with Sessions Surf & Espresso. Thank you for supporting the partners who make our work possible.