Historic Second Valley restaurant Leonards Mill closes its doors over Covid restrictions

A historic restaurant south of Adelaide has left a heartbreaking final message to locals as it announces it must close its doors forever.

Unsustainable Covid-19 restrictions left the owners of historic SA restaurant Leonards Mill with no choice but to permanently close its doors.

Husband and wife duo Iain Calvert and Hayley Pember-Calvert, who took over the award-winning food destination in mid-2017, said they were “mentally and financially” spent after two years struggling with ongoing density rules.

Ms Calvert, 38, said it’s been a stressful time for the couple as they made the “heartbreaking” decision to shut their beloved restaurant in Second Valley, which held its final lunch service on Sunday.

“We were always hopeful that restrictions would ease but when we’re down to 25 percent (density), we can only fit 24 people inside... it’s unsustainable,” she said.

“We put everything into the business, mentally and financially, and we just had nothing left.”

Mr Calvert said the business, which employed nine staff, was “barely breaking even”.

“It’s just been one step forward, two steps back,” he said.

“I know it’s a tough job but it’s very clear no-one in the state government has run a small family business.”

Leonards Mill owner Hayley Pember-Calvert, with staff members head chef Peter Smit, Nina Thomsen and owner Iain Calvert.

Leonard's Mill at Second Valley.

On Tuesday night, the couple took to social media to announce they were closing the restaurant, which is housed in a 163-year-old heritage-listed building, adding that a lack of support from landlords contributed to the decision.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have closed the doors to Leonards Mill Restaurant for the last time under our reign,” Iain and Hayley wrote in an emotional post.

“These past two years especially have left us exhausted, damaged & working so hard we haven’t been able to breathe properly.

“The continual uncertainty over Covid restrictions and the pressure of our government constantly changing their minds, plus our landlord’s complete disregard to provide desperately needed repairs to the heritage building … has led us to making this heartbreaking decision.

“This decision has been extremely difficult as we have devoted the last four years of our lives to supporting and bringing attention our amazing local Fleurieu producers.

“We are sorry we couldn’t make it work.

“We want to say thank you to everyone who has dined with us, to our fabulous regulars and to those who’ve just found us. We are grateful for your continued support and loyalty, it has been our privilege to have served you.”

Leonards Mill. Picture: Supplied by Leonards Mill.

Supplied Editorial Leonards Mill

Originally a flour mill when it began operation in 1858, the historic building was restored and turned into a restaurant in 1984 by then-owners, architect David Grieve and Christine Maher.

The charming venue, which has a strong focus on local produce, has been home to several top-rated chefs over the years, including former The Cube and Aurora restaurant chef Brendan Wessels, Lindsay Durr, Ben Sommariva, Peter Smit and Matt Fitton.

The closure of Leonards Mill follows news Cafe Komodo on Prospect Rd has shut its doors temporarily due to fluctuating Covid restrictions.

Beloved Adelaide food institutions, Cork & Cleaver and La Tombola, have also permanently shut in the last month, as their respective owners head into retirement.