Semaphore staple Noonies At the Beach Cafe to close on Sunday as council doesn’t renew lease

A Semaphore staple will close within days after the local council refused to renew its lease, with customers shocked by the announcement.

The end has come for yet another Adelaide cafe as a seaside staple said it would close after a council decision to not renew its lease.

Noonies At the Beach Cafe, on the Esplanade at Semaphore South, will shut its doors for the final time next Sunday as Port Adelaide Enfield Council ended its after 11 years.

But a council spokesperson said the kiosk “isn’t going anywhere”, would be revamped, and the decision was made last year.

Noonies At the Beach Cafe in Semaphore will be closing permanently next Sunday. IMAGE: Facebook.

The business announced its impending closure on social media on Thursday.

“Dear valued customers, it is with the deepest regret we inform you all that Noonies will be closing permanently,” they wrote.

“After 11 wonderful years of running Noonies, the council has made the decision not to renew our lease as they are looking to expand the area into something else.

“We wish to thank each and every one of our customers for their support of our small-owned business over the previous 11 years, it has been greatly appreciated.”

The family-run, seaside kiosk has been providing Semaphore locals with a wide range of coffee, toasties, burgers, fish and chips, milkshakes and ice cream for more than a decade.

Noonies At the Beach Cafe in Semaphore will be closing permanently next Sunday. IMAGE: Facebook.

Beside Semaphore’s iconic steam train track, playground, outdoor gym facilities, and a stone's throw from the beach – which in recent years was made wheelchair-accessible – the cafe served as an ideal pit stop for beachgoers and passers-by year round.

Disability advocate and local business owner Shane Hryhorec said he regularly enjoyed great burgers and coffees at the kiosk throughout the years and cafe “did a great job accommodating people with disabilities”.

“They’re really, really lovely people,” Mr Hryhorec said.

“(They) have been providing 11 years of wonderful hospitality to our community, despite this, they have been booted out of their home and kicked to the curb.

“I was very shocked there wasn’t more consideration for a business that’s been there for ten years.”

Mr Hryhorec said it highlighted the lack of security for businesses using council-owned property.

“Businesses have better protection renting from private owners than they do from council,” he said.

“We need to see better protections for businesses and individuals renting buildings and facilities from local councils.”

A Port Adelaide Enfield Council spokesperson said a decision was made last year to explore alternatives for the cafe site for when the lease expires at the end of May and thanked the cafe owners for making it a “much loved community destination”.

Noonies At the Beach Cafe in Semaphore will be closing permanently next Sunday. IMAGE: Facebook.

“We entered an EOI process through SA Tenders, which was open for anybody to submit a proposal,” they said.

“The council is currently finalising the outcome of this process and we will make an announcement regarding the future operation of this site once everything has been locked in.

“Rest assured, the kiosk isn’t going anywhere. It’s a cherished part of our community, and we’re committed to making it even better.

“We are working hard to ensure that it will bring even more benefits to the local community. We’re revamping the food and beverage offerings to make it a go-to spot on the foreshore, especially with the awesome new playground nearby.”