The paragon theatre
Merrissa craft - photos by Karina mae photography
Drive the Bruce Highway north from Brisbane to Childers, and be sure to visit the historic 1927 entertainment facility known as the Paragon Theatre.
Here you can view a screening of a classic movie, catch a live show, or attend special community events. You can also take time to enjoy the Espresso Bar, some alfresco dining, and specialty foods.
Merissa Craft is devoted to making sure you will have a memorable visit.
“All I want is for our customers to be happy and make wonderful memories. The best thing about our business are the people.
The Paragon has been a family business since 1962, when it was purchased by Merissa’s grandparents and Great- Grandmother. In 2007 Merissa purchased the property and began restorations in the hopes to bring the building back to life
“Women in business do make a difference!”
This unique work demands constant attention and total investment. Merissa explains that “this is our life. We live here with our babies and we work here. We are tied to a building that has so much of our blood, sweat, tears and money.” At the same time, it brings both challenge and joy.
But the investment goes beyond the building and the business. High in priority for Merissa is the empowering of women, and especially young women. Junior staff at the espresso bar are sixteen-year-old girls. This provides opportunity to build-in confidence and joy so they will pursue their own dreams upon graduation.
Merissa offers these tips to new business entrepreneurs:
Take time for research
Make informed decisions
Establish a solid support network of friends, family and professionals
These things, along with her bold confidence, have fueled her survival, and the theatre’s survival. “When I get told ‘you can’t do it’, or ‘it won’t work’, it just makes me more determined to fight. "Women in business do make a difference!"