Lukoumades Greek dessert bar on King William Rd to be turned into Toucan Tango acai and juice bar

The owners of a Greek dessert bar chain might have closed their last bricks-and-mortar store but there’s a trendy new offering on the way.

The owners of a Greek dessert bar chain who recently closed their last bricks-and-mortar store have pivoted to a new acai soft serve business.

A day after announcing their final Lukoumades doughnut shop on King William Rd, Hyde Park, had shut down, it’s been revealed the store will be replaced with a Toucan Tango acai and juice bar.

It’s their second Toucan Tango location, with the original on the site of another former Lukoumades store on Seaview Road.

Manager Lily Mittiga said the change in focus was needed given acai’s growing popularity with the public.

“Acai is what’s trending now, it’s the big thing at the moment. Acai bars are massive in Sydney and our first store at Henley Beach has been really successful,” she said.

“Lukoumades hasn’t been on the same level it was before Covid, so we just assessed and thought, you know, change isn’t always bad. Let’s get with the times.”

The offerings at Toucan Tango acai and juice bars. Pics: Supplied.

Toucan Tango acai soft serves. Pics: Supplied.

Toucan Tango juices. Picture: Supplied.

Toucan Tango offers a wide range of healthy acai bowls and soft serve options, with various toppings including sauces, fruits and granola.

Lukoumades also previously had stores on The Parade, Norwood, and on Magill Rd, in Kensington Park.

The shop specialised in lukoumades, a Greek version of a doughnut, made in bite-sized balls, that are fluffy and fried until golden brown. They are traditionally soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Ms Mittiga said it was a tough decision to close their Lukoumades shops and the response to the most recent closure had been overwhelming.

“I’ve had so many amazing messages, privately and publicly on social media. I almost felt a sense of regret doing it because there were so many people reaching out to us saying how sad they were,” she said.

“But businesses come and go, some last for a year or longer … this was just a decision we made that it was time for something fresh and new.”

The new Toucan Tango on King William Rd will open on September 30.