For 18 months the kiosk at Casino Memorial Hospital was closed.

For years, it had been run by Casino Hospital Auxiliary volunteers until the auxiliary folded in 2023.

Now Kellie and Geoffrey Clarke from Evans Head have taken over the kiosk.

Kellie and Geoffrey have been operating the mobile coffee van Hot Shot for four years and there would be a long queue of customers when they turned up at the hospital carpark. On one of the days, there was a lineup of 15 people.

“Right at the end of the line was a woman wanting to talk to me about opening the kiosk,” Kellie said.

Setting up the kiosk has been quite a change from the mobile locations of the coffee van.

Now with a permanent spot five days a week, Hot Shot HQ Hospital Kiosk has been going for about seven weeks.

“I like this space,” Kellie said.

“It’s friendly and inviting. I’ve got time to chat and sit down and say hello to people.”

Kellie radiates warmth and the changes she has made to the kiosk have warmed the whole area.

She has added plants, a small fish tank and has more plans for games on the tables and creating an outdoor seating area.

It’s good news for hospital staff and visitors.

The brownies and muffins the kiosk serves are all homemade. They do a mean roasted veg sandwich that is popular, Kellie said.

Geoffrey is at the coffee machine making a latte.

“He has taken it in his stride,” Kellie said.

“Me and Kellie work well together,” Geoffrey said.

Geoff was a fitter and machinist before starting the coffee van with Kellie who used to work at the meatworks.

They’ve been together for 28 years.

Anyone can visit the kiosk at the hospital to try the quiches, sandwiches, frittata –and the coffee.

Hot Shot HQ Hospital Kiosk is open Monday–Friday at 7.30am–2pm.

It is airconditioned and has plenty of seating.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 24 February 2025.