Family Flames from BBQ & Fireplace Centre
Genuine care meets expert advice, and local passion fires up every grill. John Caruso discovers the Coast’s most welcoming BBQ and fireplace specialists.
There’s a ritual to barbecuing that’s about more than just the sizzle of steak, it’s about connection, tradition, and gathering with family and friends.
For me, that’s been true for more than fifteen years and across two sturdy Weber Family Qs, the first one purchased from Noosaville BBQ & Fireplace Centre many moons ago, and a shiny new model that is now at home on my balcony, courtesy of their Birtinya store.
But if these barbecues have been the backbone of many family gatherings and lazy Sundays, it’s the family behind the business – the Bedfords, and their story shaped by tradition, resilience and good old-fashioned service – that truly warms the heart.
The BBQ & Fireplace Centre isn’t just another retail spot in a homemaker centre in Birtinya or a fixture on Gateway Drive, Noosaville. It’s been a family affair for almost thirty years, one where the flames of community and hospitality burn just as brightly as any grill.
There are five family members still working in the two stores today: Gavin and Renee Bedford manage Birtinya, while Brendan and Jess Bedford are in the Noosaville centre.
The story of this business is inseparable from the rhythms and shifts of Coast life itself.
“It’s all hands on deck,” Renee Bedford explains when we talk about how things get done. “And we wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s a pride in treating every customer as if they were part of our own family.”
It’s not just lip service. The Bedfords have shaped each store, and its distinct personality, with their own unique touch.
At Birtinya, Gavin’s meticulous eye for quality has built a product range that feels as curated as it is comprehensive.
“Gavin knows what customers want, he helps first-timers find the right Weber or recommends the fireplace that’ll see a young family through their first winter,” Renee says.
Her own focus is on connecting with the community, both through lively, helpful social media updates and through a genuine, personal approach in store; smiles, honest advice, and a readiness to swap stories or share her favourite tips.
Noosaville, meanwhile, has been shaped by the easy-going, welcoming style of Brendan and Jess.
“Brendan is incredible with his knowledge,” Renee says. “People come in, often unsure about what they want, and leave feeling like barbecue legends.
“And as for Jess, well, she keeps everything running smoothly and brings a warmth that makes everyone feel at home.”
Spend half an hour in the Noosaville Centre and you’ll see it in action: a blend of local wisdom and down-to-earth friendliness that produces regulars, not just repeat customers.
The stores may have their own characters, but both run on the same core philosophy: old-fashioned customer service.
Renee credits that as the secret sauce to their longevity.
“It’s rare these days.” she says. “But we make sure we greet every person who walks in the door, no one should feel like a number. We want people to leave with everything they need and a few ideas for the next gathering around the barbecue.”
Of course, family businesses like this face constant change. New suburbs rise, the region’s population swells, tastes evolve and the world of retail, let alone appliances, moves faster than ever. Has the team changed with the times?
“Absolutely”, says Renee, but always with care. “Everyone who joins us needs to fit the family mold – down-to-earth and kind, people who really listen.
“We look for those who are passionate about helping others create memories around food and fire.”
It’s not about fancy titles or decades in sales; it’s about the right attitude and that elusive mix of approachability and know-how.
It’s not only locals who notice the difference. Over the years, the Bedfords have welcomed holidaymakers and new arrivals as part of the story.
“People value being known,” Renee reflects. “Some walk in for a new BBQ and end up sharing recipes or talking about their first roast.
“That’s the greatest reward, watching people go home a little more inspired.”
For me, as a lifelong grill enthusiast and a bloke who’s spent plenty of time perched next to a warm Weber, that resonates. The BBQ & Fireplace Centre is more than a place to pick up briquettes or a replacement grill plate, it’s a cornerstone of coastal life, defined by the sort of service where everyone gets treated like family.
Next time you wander into the the store, don’t be surprised if you leave with more than you bargained for, maybe a cooking, cleaning or maintenance tip, maybe just a sense that community and tradition are alive and well, still firing on all cylinders – or burners, in this particular case!
