From perfect margaritas to smart sustainability moves, this Port Noarlunga bar shows how passion and planning can turn small business dreams into reality — and why Small Business Week is worth a toast.
In the seaside suburb of Port Noarlunga, Noori on the Mid Coast greets you with the tang of salt air outside and the feel of a city laneway bar inside – stupendous vibes, a cheeky pelican sculpture named Mr Percival, and a menu built on the Spanish custom of sharing the best of what’s in season locally.
The ever-changing cocktail list mixes things up with creations like the Noori-tini, Gawler St Reviver, Kookaburra, Coconut Funk, and what its owner swears are “the best Margaritas in town”.
Owner Jacob Barter grew up just 100 metres from the spot where Noori now sits. His bar is one of nearly 160,000 small businesses that make up around 98 per cent of South Australia’s business community – the backbone of our state’s economy.
And while it’s a great lifestyle, it’s not all smooth sailing. That’s why the state government runs Small Business Week (22–26 September) – to give owners the tools, connections and ideas they need to keep going and growing.
A hometown hideout
When Noori opened in 2022, Jacob was 28 and fresh from years working in bars across Canada, the UK, Europe and Australia. He’d started out as a roof plumber, studied architecture, then found his passion behind the bar.
Coming home, he realised the Mid Coast didn’t have anything like the warm, elevated laneway bars of Adelaide’s CBD.
He’s changed the way people drink in his neck of the woods, where the scene is still mostly trad pubs complete with pokies and meat tray raffles.
“When I first came back south, you’d say the word ‘Negroni’ and someone would ask if that was a surname,” Jacob says. “Now, people know exactly what a Negroni is – and they’ve learnt about a whole lot of other cocktails and local wines too.”
Noori is part café, part bar, part community living room – a “hideout” for locals where you can catch quiz nights, live music launches, Sunday DJ sessions, and plenty of nights you didn’t plan but are glad you stayed for.
Over time, it’s built a loyal following who, as Jacob puts it, would “follow us into the afternoon sun”.
One local, so appreciative of Noori’s good vibes and all the work that goes into making them happen, even shouted the entire team free skydiving lessons.
A sustainable success
What began as a one-man operation has grown into a team of eight. The bar’s design was all Jacob’s vision – the build, he admits, was his dad’s handiwork (“I was the mastermind, Dad was the one handy with the power tools.”).
From the outset, Jacob wanted Noori to be sustainable as well as successful. “We live right by the coast – you can’t ignore the environment here,” he says. “It made sense to build something that’s good for the community and the planet.”
That ethos shows up everywhere, from sourcing fresh produce through local suppliers to buying wine direct from South Australian producers, and even behind the bar where they make “super juice” out of citrus peel and turn mint stalks into cordial.
“It keeps money in their pocket and keeps us connected,” he says. “We’re not trying to shove sustainability down people’s throats, but they know what we stand for – and they’re proud of it.”
A brand with personality
Jacob’s natural knack for storytelling – along with making people laugh and feel welcome – shines through in everything from the thoughtful design of the bar (warm wood meets industrial chic) to his personality-packed social media.
Posts range from event teasers and features on local wines, to behind-the-scenes cuteness with dogs, Jacob’s blogs (and bloopers), plus plenty of shots of punters living it up at Noori’s special event nights – there’s even a video of Jacob mixing a martini while riding a skateboard.
It’s built a brand that hooks you in and makes it look effortless fun, even though the grind of starting and running a small business is anything but.
His years working in and being inspired by some of the best bars in SA, Australia and overseas have served him well – but for others, skills like branding and marketing can be learned. And that’s where Small Business Week’s practical, hands-on sessions come in.
The battery boost
Of course, running a small business isn’t just about branding – it’s about survival, especially when bills bite. A few years in, Jacob installed solar panels at Noori to cut his rising energy bills. But when the first bill arrived afterwards, it was still so steep, Jacob admits he shed a few tears.
“We were just getting smashed with energy costs,” he says. “The panels weren’t making the dent we thought they would.”
Help came through a grant from the Energy Efficiency Grant Program, part of the state government’s $154.2 million Business Growth Fund. The grant funded a solar battery, letting Noori store and use more of its own energy – trimming those bills and reducing its environmental footprint.
“It hasn’t taken us to zero, but it’s made a huge difference,” Jacob says. “It’s also made us think harder about making choices that are better for the business and better for the environment.”
Why Small Business Week matters
Small Business Week 2025 is an initiative of the state government’s Small Business Strategy, delivered by the Office for Small and Family Business. It runs from 22-26 September and is packed with free in-person and online events to help South Australians start, run and grow their businesses.
This year’s program covers:
- Social media and digital marketing
- Building and keeping a great team
- Cyber security
- AI
- Innovation and growth
- Commercial leasing, and more.
And it’s not just for city-based operators – there’s a strong regional focus, with events popping up in country hubs and plenty online so you don’t miss out, wherever you’re based.
The week kicks off with the Small Business Expo on 22 September – a one-stop shop to connect with support providers, explore growth opportunities, and hear real stories from other business owners on the ‘Spotlight Stage’.
You’ll be able to navigate available support, connect directly with delivery partners, and dive into areas like small business fundamentals, exporting, procurement, digital capability, regional support, and more.
With a full program of free professional development – from workshops to expert panels and networking sessions – you can build skills in everything from planning your workforce to boosting sustainability.
Prefer to learn in your own time? The suite of on-demand online content means you can tap into expert advice when and where it suits you, whether that’s after hours, between meetings, or on the weekend.
Your year-round small biz friend
The Office for Small and Family Business offers help year-round, including:
- Templates for business and marketing plans
- Subsidised support to build knowledge and capabilities in areas such as finance, marketing, strategic planning, and more.
- Advice on hiring staff and finding new markets
- One-on-one support through dedicated Small Business Support Officers
- Access to grant programs like the one that helped Noori.
For Jacob, that kind of help means he can focus more on what Noori does best – bringing people together. “Listen to your customers, look after your locals, and don’t be afraid to stand out” is his advice for anyone starting out.
One day, he hopes to spread the mixology wisdom and “stupendous vibes” to create another space on SA’s coast that’s as unique and suited to its surroundings as Noori on the Mid Coast is now.
If your business is looking to invest in upgrades that reduce energy use and costs, apply now for a Powering Business Grant. Full details and how to apply are available here.
Read the program and register for Small Business Week 2025 events here.
