Original Pancake Kitchen owner Mark Sandgren wants switch flipped on SA’s COVID-19 trading restrictions before it’s too late

The owner of a popular Adelaide pancake franchise has written to Premier Steven Marshall urging him to lift “onerous” trading restrictions that he says are killing his business, and many others.

Original Pancake Kitchen owner Mark Sandgren (right) and general manager Josh Whitford want COVID-19 restrictions eased for businesses. Picture: Mark Brake

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Original Pancake Kitchen owner Mark Sandgren has written an angry open letter to Premier Steven Marshall, calling on the State Government to immediately lift COVID-19 restrictions on dining and saying all he has worked for risks being destroyed. 

Mr Sandgren is urging the government to immediately move to Stage 3 of its coronavirus plan, which would allow restaurants and city businesses to trade with few restrictions.

“There (are no) COVID-19 cases in the state and yet we have to endure these onerous restrictions,” said Mr Sandgren, who has run the Adelaide dining institution for the past three years.

In his letter to the Premier, Mr Sandgren said: “Obviously, you don’t understand how small business works. This is beyond a joke”.

“Stage 3 is the only way to survive,” Mr Sandgren told The Advertiser.

“The city is dead, with very few people around.

“Many offices are lightly staffed as many people are working from home.” 

Mr Sandgren said even moving to Stage 2 of the COVID-19 plan, which would permit 20 diners to sit indoors, wouldn’t help him save the Pancake Kitchen, which first opened in 1965.

“Twenty people just won’t cut it,” he said.

“I’d be willing to try it, but only if city workers start coming back to the city, too. 

“We rely on walk-in customers.

“In the words of Scott Morrsion, I think South Australians deserve an ‘early mark’, to be allowed to go back to work earlier than the original three-stage plan states, due to the tremendous success we’ve achieved by following the social distancing rules.”

Premier Steven Marshall is being urged to loosen trading restrictions for businesses sooner rather than later. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

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The US-born restaurateur said his Modbury Pancake Kitchen store is open, but is only doing 10-18 per cent of pre-COVID-19 sales.

He said his city store will likely remain closed until the government allows the Pancake Kitchen to trade without restrictions.

“Last Monday, we threw away a bin full of food and shut down the fridges and freezers as the electricity bill is $3000 a month,” Mr Sandgren said.

“I’ve had to borrow money to cover bills and hope to survive.

“Prior to this crisis we employed 69 people and had a decent taxpaying business, now we have 14 staff and earn virtually nothing.”

Mr Sandgren said he has incurred a debt of around $300,000.

He received a response to his letter from Lucas Weterings at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, noting he was eligible to receive an emergency grant of $10,000.

“The $10,000 was appreciated,” Mr Sandgren said.

“I got it Tuesday this week and it’s all gone. I haven’t given up on South Australia.

“I’m going to risk it all and open another store in Port Adelaide on July 1. But please, Mr Marshall, let us go back to work.”

Originally published as Original Pancake Kitchen owner Mark Sandgren wants switch flipped on SA’s COVID-19 trading restrictions before it’s too late