Little Malop St traders fighting to survive amid a cost of living crisis
The proprietors behind some of the most popular venues on Little Malop St say that it has never been harder to run a business, as eateries all around them close their doors.
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Little Malop St businesses owners say they are proud customers are still flocking to their venues amid a cost of living crisis, but warn this may not be enough to keep them afloat.
The proprietors behind popular Little Malop St venues Mavs Greek Restaurant, 18th Amendment Bar, Non Disclosure Bar and Lou’s Pizza and Wine have put out the call to Geelong residents to come and support the culinary strip, as financial pressures continue to heavily impact the hospitality industry.
Gorge Camorra, owner of 18th Amendment Bar and Non Disclosure Bar, said this has been the most difficult time in his 20 years owning venues.
“We’ve created this beautiful, vibrant precinct in Little Malop – it’s still going good and the vibe is still there – but the problem is the cost,” he said.
“Instead of people coming in for an hour, an hour and a half, and having two or three cocktails, they’re sitting on one drink for the whole time.
“Your costs are the same to run the businesses … you’re as much as 40 per cent down some weeks.”
Mr Camorra said that he is only surviving “week to week”, and continues to feel the squeeze due to wage increases, the rising cost of ingredients and other expenses.
“My work cover bill for one of my venues has gone from six grand a year to 12 grand a year,” he said.
Miltiadis Mavromoustakos and Julia Ryabova, the owners of award-winning Greek restaurant Mavs, agreed that diners were spending less.
“Before, a couple may order a couple of entrees, a couple of mains and share a dessert,” Ms Ryabova said.
“Now people come in and order just a main to share … no desserts, no drink.”
The couple said they understood it was an extremely tough time and appreciated diners were still spending money.
“It’s just very unfortunate. Out of everyone’s control,” Mr Mavromoustakos said.
“And we think about how they supported us during Covid – we’re very appreciative of that.”
A stone’s throw away, Lou’s Pizza and Wine is also consistently pumping on a Friday and Saturday evening.
“People are here, but it’s money that they don’t have to spend,” owner Ryan Thompson said.
The calls come after eateries 10 James St and Gooley’s were forced to shut their doors, with the owner of one blaming rising cost of living pressures.
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the council was committed to supporting local businesses while they’re feeling the pressure of factors such as inflation and interest rates.
“The City of Geelong needs to play its part in revitalising the CBD,” Mr Kontelj said.
“Our free two hour parking proposal will remove one obstacle, and encourage people to come back into the CBD.
“We’re also talking about introducing Salamanca-style Saturday markets in the new financial year in the CBD, every Saturday.
“After the markets, we envision people drifting into the CBD, through Little Malop St, and into the art’s precinct.”
Hospitality businesses that have recently closed in Geelong
While not all the businesses below were forced to shut due to economic reasons, it’s undeniable that the industry is facing significant issues.
Geelong Hotel
A sheriff’s notice plastered on the front of the Geelong Hotel alerts passers-by that the landlord “has retaken possession of this property from the tenant MD Hotel Group”. MD Hotel Group is run by former Cats premiership player Corey Enright as well as Mathew Dyer, Max McKay and Dean Trembath. The landlord of the Geelong Hotel, who wished to remain anonymous, claims he is owed nearly $300,000 in unpaid rent and maintenance costs, including $100,000 in defect repairs. Despite this, the website remains operational and still allows people to make online reservations.
The Inn Hotel
Earlier in the year, The Inn Hotel, also owned by MD Hotel Group was placed into administration after it could not pay outstanding debts. MD Hotel Group owed power company Momentum Energy Pty Ltd more than $66,000 in electricity and gas bills.
Daniel’s Donuts
The cult favourite doughnut store was forced to shut up shop after its lucrative Belmont location was put up for sale by the landlord.
Cafizza
Cafizza on Separation St announced served it’s last wood-fired pizzas on February 16 after a decade in business.
Texas Hamburger
The cafe famous for its extensive menu closed in December 2024 after 50 years of operation, as financial pressures reportedly took a toll.
10 James St
Cafe 10 James St, formerly James St Bakery, announced its closure officially in May. Owner Jessica “Bunny” Lekkas, who took over 10 James St in 2023, said the cost of living destroyed her business.
Gooley’s
Gooley’s opened its doors in the CBD in July 2024 after a successful launch of its Torquay store. However, the eatery – a popular lunchtime choice for office workers, closed less than a year later.
Pistol Pete’s
The iconic Little Malop St venue shut shop following an ongoing “struggle to maintain the businesses’ viability, according to the owners.
Mexican Graffiti
The eatery announced in July 2024 it would shut after 42 years of “blood, sweat and tears” at its Yarra St premises.
The Pier Geelong
The Pier Geelong, a popular spot for weddings, closed just before Christmas after 15 years operating from their Cunningham Pier location. A statement on the restaurant’s website explained The Pier’s commercial lease expired on December 22 and will not be renewed.
Wah Wah Gee and Wah Bah
Asian-fusion restaurant Wah Wah Gee and its counterpart bar Wah Bah closed alongside neighbouring restaurant The Pier Geelong.
La Cachette
The up-market French waterfront restaurant announced it was closing in June 2024 because “the time was right”. Owner Matt Podbury said there were “no negatives” in the decision.
Valhalla
The popular Geelong craft brewery went into administration last year, citing cost of living pressures as the key reason. Lotus Beer Co, which traded as Valhalla, operated two sites in Geelong. Director Scott Hunt said consumers were spending noticeably less due to the strain on household budgets.
We Are The Press
Allan Heyne and Paige Gailius transformed their successful toastie food truck business into a bricks and mortar outlet in 2023. In May 2024, they announced they would close, citing a number of factors – including interest rate rises and cost-of-living pressures – which forced them to cut short their lease.
TonTon
TonTon cafe owner Aaron Sheedy said a number of personal matters have led to him closing the business after less than two years at the Barrabool Rd site.
Gloria Jeans Market Square
The cafe, which operated in the centre for more than 10 years, closed in March 2024, with franchisee owner Mohamed Labe saying high rents and low foot traffic made it impossible to stay open.
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