Three Logan businesses in contention
Extraction joins Beenleigh Artisan Distillery and Devon Pixies on the finalist list announced September 30 by the Logan Office of Economic Development. Winners will be revealed November 6 at the Queensland Tourism Awards Gala on the Gold Coast, part of Tourism Week.
Scott said the team was thrilled to receive recognition beyond Logan. "To be recognised at a state level alongside some of Queensland's best tourism operators is incredibly exciting, particularly for an independent café in Logan," she said. "It's also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on Logan and show that amazing things are happening in our city."
The city had several winners at the 2025 awards. According to the economic development office, Devon Pixies and Beenleigh Artisan Distillery each earned gold in their respective categories, while Distillery Road Market received bronze.
Extraction also has a record of local tourism awards. Its own awards history lists the Best Tourism business award at the Logan City Business Achiever Awards in 2021 and the Logan City Business Achievers Tourism Award in 2024. In 2025, it was among 19 Logan operators recognized through the Best of Queensland Experiences Program, led by Tourism and Events Queensland, according to the economic development office.
Building a destination in Slacks Creek
The cafe's warehouse premises along the Pacific Highway were years in the making. BeanScene magazine reports that Scott and co-owner Alex Milosevic bought the building in 2013 before opening their roastery and cafe in April 2016. A four-week campaign on crowdfunding platform Pozible raised $25,000 to buy green beans and a coffee machine.
Since then, Extraction has collected awards for its coffee, but Scott identifies hospitality as the business's distinguishing feature. "We've always believed that you shouldn't have to travel into Brisbane or to a traditional tourist destination to experience something exceptional," she said.
She said visitors had come to see Extraction as a destination offering something different, and she was proud of its role in bringing positive attention to Logan.
The owners did not fully appreciate what they were taking on at the outset, Scott said. Over the decade, they have dealt with the pandemic, higher costs, staffing difficulties and substantial changes across the industry. "We've experienced incredible highs, some really challenging lows, and just about everything in between," she said.
"Reaching 10 years is something we're incredibly proud of. But, more than anything, it's about the people."
A changing coffee team
Among the staff Scott credits is former Head of Coffee Liam Pratt, who moved to Melbourne earlier in 2026. The cafe's awards record lists his sixth-place finish at the Australian Barista Championships in 2024, third place in 2025 and first place at the Queensland Barista Championships in 2026.
"Liam made a wonderful contribution to our coffee program and, while it's always sad to see great people move on, we also see it as a success when our team members grow and pursue new opportunities," Scott said.
Following Pratt's departure, Extraction began working with independent roastery Talo Coffee. Its founder, Sarah Jin, is another former Extraction Head of Coffee and was the cafe's roaster before Pratt. Scott said Jin is now overseeing the coffee program and roasting in the style familiar to Extraction's customers.
New Head Barista Boyun continues training and maintaining the cafe's standards. Scott said collaboration with people who share the team's enthusiasm for coffee remains part of how Extraction works.
As the business develops its team and explores new ideas, Scott wants to retain its personal ties to the local community rather than make expansion the priority. "Our goal isn't necessarily to become bigger. It's to keep getting better," she said.
"If we can continue surprising people, making their day a little brighter and giving them another reason to visit Logan, then I think we're doing something right."
