Lollipops Playland and Cafe Happy Valley announces ‘disappointing’ move

The chain’s owner says the landlord of the southern suburbs play cafe had denied it was making a deal with a new tenant. But then termination papers arrived.

The owner of a popular play cafe chain says an Adelaide franchisee was “blindsided by the landlord” before they announced shock plans to relocate this week.

Lollipops Playland and Cafe Happy Valley announced on their social media on Thursday that they were relocating to a “new and even better space” after being taken by surprise by lease termination papers from Salandra Property Group.

Rumours of the site’s closure have circulated on social media for months, with Facebook groups claiming a new gym was likely to take over the site as the Happy Valley Shopping Centre was redeveloped.

Director of Lollipop’s franchising Tim Newman-Morris said the lease termination at the Happy Valley location had left the local franchisee “blindsided by the landlord”, which he said had denied it was working on a new deal for the property.

“Jason is a great franchisee and will now be losing his investment … we should have been able to stay here for at least 10 more years,” Mr Newman-Morris said.

Nelcy Porras, 44 from Reynella, and her nephew Antony Leeks, 5, at Lollipop's Playland and Cafe in Happy Valley. Picture: Leah Smith

“We are disappointed we have to move but we are determined to make the best of the opportunity for our loyal customers.”

Mr Newman-Morris said the Happy Valley franchise’s landlord, Salandra Property Group, had denied rumours it was making a deal with a gym to move into the address but then termination papers arrived.

“We were given six months notice to move, but it will be business as usual until the end of March 2024, and we will be opening doors to our new location as soon as possible,” Mr Newman-Morris said.

Social media users have become suspicious about plans for the venue after noticing new developments around the building. Picture: Leah Smith

The Salandra group did not address Lollipop’s closure but said in a statement said it had “acted in accordance with their rights and entitlements under both the leases and applicable legislation”.

“The Centre is currently undergoing a major redevelopment to provide for the community’s growing demand for improved retail offers and services, which is intrinsically community focused and driven,” a spokeswoman said.

“Both community and tenant feedback on the completed portions of the project to date have been overwhelmingly positive, showcasing their support for the development, which aims to create neighbourhood convenience in a single “one stop shop” destination.”

Families and regular patrons of the cafe said the news was “scary” as Lollipop’s had become a part of their everyday lives.

“It will be crazy if they shut it. It’s something the kids always look forward to,” Nelcy Porras of Reynella said.

“It’s the only place in the south where kids can come and play when it’s cold, it’s hot, if you need a place to have a party.”

“It’s even a great place if you need a bit of respite while they play.”

But some parents think the closure could be a good thing for the family favourite.

Darian Stone, father of three, said a new location could mean better facilities for kids to use and it “could be good for them”.

“If they can find a bigger place, then they can get more activities for the kids and a bigger playground,” Mr Stone said.

“I’m sure they’ll have plenty of options around here.”