Fans of Clifton Beach Italian outraged Domino’s setting up next door
The battle of the pizzas is on in the northern beaches with a long-established Italian eatery set to compete with a franchise.
Cairns
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STEADFAST fans of long-time northern beaches eatery —A Taste of Italy are coming out in droves to pledge their loyalty to the traditional little Italian restaurant and takeaway after the signs went up for Domino’s Pizza – right next door.
Mario and Sylvia Radenovska have worked the ovens at A Taste of Italy since 2008, taking over the business that started around 2002 from friends.
They were stunned when the signs went up for the Domino’s franchise next door at the Clifton Beach Shopping Centre.
But Mrs Radenovska said she’d received countless messages of support from trusty locals.
“We get some tourists from Palm Cove, but it is mostly locals and we have been well supported all these years, we made it through Covid with good local support and people have said they will continue that,” she said.
“If it was located on the other side of the shopping centre, I wouldn’t care, at least it wouldn’t be right next door to us.
“We have been there that many years, paying rent, and that’s what you get.”
Unlike Dominos, A Taste of Italy, which employs 12 people, is a licensed restaurant and offers pasta and traditional Italian meals as well as its popular pizzas.
“Our pizza is made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, except for Italian specialty things like anchovies,” Mrs Radenosvska said.
“We put our heart and soul into our product.”
She said the most popular pizza changed from day to day – but the local favourite, the ‘Mario’s Special’, had just made it onto the official menu.
“We are feeling the love and very grateful for the support,” Mrs Radenovska said.
It is the fourth Domino’s outlet for franchisee Vijendar Sharma, who has Domino’s at Smithfield, Redlynch and Port Douglas.
There is also a Domino’s at Earlville, Manunda, White Rock and Cairns City.
Mr Sharma began by working as a delivery driver for Domino’s Smithfield.
“As a small-business owner, I am passionate about giving back to those in need though Domino’s Feed the Knead program, which aims to provide localised support in the form of free pizza,” Mr Sharma said in a statement.
“To date, we have donated hundreds of pizzas to those doing it tough,” he said.
“I also look forward to continuing to give back to the local community through ‘Doughraisers’ with causes ranging from assisting sports clubs to charities and local schools.”
He said there were jobs for 30-plus “delivery experts” and team members.
CBRE managing director Danny Betros, speaking on behalf of the shopping centre, said Domino’s had been servicing the area for years.
“One does an artisan, more gourmet type pizza, and other products, and Domino’s does a standard offering for mass distribution and it is pick up and delivery,” Mr Betros said.
“Domino’s have opened a new store in a growing area – the product is different.
“May the best pizza win is the view of the owners of the centre, at the end of the day it’s all about success in business.”
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Originally published as Fans of Clifton Beach Italian outraged Domino’s setting up next door
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