The Marino Rocks Social set to become co-op after $1.7m sale

It’s taken years of hard work but an Adelaide seaside community is set to keep its beloved cafe. See how much it sold for and its plans for the future.

An Adelaide seaside community’s beloved cafe has been saved after it was bought for $1.7 million.

The Marino Rocks Social, formerly the Marino Rocks Cafe, was officially signed over as a co-operative business at the end of June.

The community had been campaigning for years to reinvigorate the once-popular restaurant and the sale is a massive step in the right direction.

Board member Kayne Ensten said it was a remarkable achievement for all involved.

“It was a huge process but it’s been remarkable,” Mr Ensten said.

David Bagshaw and Kayne Ensten with members of a community group at the Marino Rocks Cafe in Marino. Picture Matt Turner.

“It is a destination and we really look forward to working with the community and giving them somewhere to catch up.”

The co-op membership and other community donations raised $1m.

“We had to pay a 40 per cent deposit — it was a lot of work to try and get a bank loan for a cooperative business because they essentially aren’t any directors or a guarantor,” Mr Ensten said.

“The cafe is really the first of its kind (being a co-op) and we’ve set a really good example for others who may be thinking of doing the same thing for their local community.”

Cooperatives are a legal business entity under Australian law and are created by people who have a specific need and are willing to work together to operate and organise a company that will meet that need.

Built in 1961 by Fisherman Bert Fooks, the site sits nestled into the corner of Marine Parade with has uninterrupted views of the St Vincent Gulf.

In February, another board member David Bagshaw said the community saw the potential and got to work the reinvigorate the once popular restaurant.

“There’s so much potential to reconnect to the community,” Mr Bagshaw said.

“We have seen places like the Boatshed in Hallett Cove all the way down to Brighton become a destination for people, this has the same potential.”

Gulten Sabuncu at the cafe in 2016. Pic: Keryn Stevens

In 1993, Tekin and Gulten Sabuncu, bought the building but were adamant for the community to retain the asset.

“Gulten has expressed to us many times that she is happy that it is staying within the community because it easily could have been taken up by a developer,” Mr Bagshaw said.

“This place is a cult classic for many people.”

Now the site runs seven days a week and employs 10 staff members.

“It’s given the area life again, it’s incredible,” Mr Ensten said.

“It’s still just the very start.”

To find out how you can get involved, visit the website.