The Old Butcher Shop Cafe

🌸 Turning a blank wall into a local icon 🌸

If you’ve ever grabbed a coffee at The Old Butcher Shop Cafe, you’ve definitely seen that big, blank wall on the corner of Challinor and Cribb Street. It’s a huge canvas that’s just sitting there, and we’ve always felt it was a missed opportunity to celebrate what makes our suburb special.

For us, this mural isn't just about decorating a wall; we want a genuine landmark. A piece of public art that makes you smile every time you walk the dog or head out on the school run. 

🦋 The vision: Our bridge, our river, our suburb 🌿

To make this happen, we’ve teamed up with local legend and Ipswich artist Antonio Lazarus.

Antonio has sketched out a vibrant, illustrative tribute to our little corner of the world. His design will feature the iconic Sadliers Crossing railway bridge, the Bremer River, and a burst of SEQ flora and fauna (keep an eye out for the kangaroos and local wildflowers!)

Why we need your help

A professional mural of this scale, using high-quality UV-resistant paints and coatings, would usually cost 5k-7k. We’ve already put our skin in the game; the team at Ipswich Coffee Roasters have committed the first $2,000 to the project. We aren’t looking for a freebie for the shop; we’ve put in everything we can to get the brushes moving.

Now, we’re looking to our neighbours, our regulars, and Ipswich art lovers to help us bridge the remaining gap. 

Where is the money going?

Transparency is huge for us. Every dollar raised goes directly into making this art happen. Here is the breakdown:

• Artist Labour & Talent: Paying Antonio Lazarus a fair, professional wage for the weeks of design, prep, and painting.

• Premium Materials: High-quality, weather-resistant paints and UV-stabilised finishes to ensure the mural stays vibrant for years.

• Equipment & Safety: Hire of any necessary scaffolding or lifts to safely reach the top of the wall.

• Reward Fulfilment: Printing limited edition stickers and high-quality art prints for our backers.

• Pozible Fees: Covering the small platform and transaction fees so the artist gets the full amount intended.

💡 Important Note: The cafe does not keep any of these funds. Every dollar is an investment in local art and our streetscape.