Acai.Syd, Manly: Popular Fairy Bower outdoor acai cafe closes doors

A popular outdoor cafe on one of the northern beaches’ busiest tourist routes — and one of Sydney’s most popular Instagram photo locations — has closed its doors.

The Acai.Syd outlet on Marine Pde, Manly, closed for good on Easter Sunday. Picture: Facebook (Acai.Syd)

A popular outdoor cafe on one of the northern beaches’ busiest tourist routes — and one of Sydney’s most popular Instagram photo locations — has closed its doors.

The oceanfront Acai.Syd outlet served its last bowl of the soft serve South American berry treat on Easter Sunday on the beautiful boardwalk at Fairy Bower, between Manly and Shelly beaches.

Owner Nick Theodorou initially set up the business in October 2021 as a “pop-up” cafe in leased space within the “Unicorn” building, a retail and apartment complex built on the corner of Bower Lane in the early 1900s.

Before renting the outlet, Nick had operated an acai bowl food truck at several outdoor and farmer’s markets from 2019 as a side hustle to his regular career in the seafood industry.

He then came up with a plan to become a full-time acai bowl cafe operator.

The Acai.Syd outlet on Marine Pde, and its location at Fairy Bower, was popular with Instagram photographers. Picture: Supplied

Nick’s original idea was to operate the Manly cafe for about 18 months, but its popularity grew and he ended up keeping it going, seven days a week, for another three-and-a-half years.

But Nick said on Tuesday that factors like high rent — $2100 a week — and increasing overheads, including a 400 per cent increase over three years in the council outdoor seating levy, were factors in his decision to close up.

The former Acai. Syd outlet on Marine Pde closed on Easter Sunday. Picture: Facebook

He also said that the emotional factors of having to deal with the “ups and downs” in the business due to bad weather and tourism off-seasons also played a part.

“It became too hard to handle,” he said. “Because there was no consistent profit generated, it just made it hard to live a life outside your business. You had to be on it every minute.

“A location that does very, very well when conditions are perfect, can often be mistaken for a location that’s consistently good.

“A rainy day was zero dollars, but the next day could be sunny and it was a $4000 day.”

Nick Theodorou, the owner of the Acai.Syd outlet on Marine Pde. Picture: Facebook

The view from the Acai.Syd outlet on Marine Pde. Picture: Facebook

The Acai.Syd outlet opened in October, 2021. Picture: Facebook

The outlet was popular with locals and tourists. Picture: Facebook

He said that he was proud of what he and his staff achieved and was now hoping for a “more balanced and consistent lifestyle”.

Nick, however, said that while it was a “wild ride”, a heap of positives came from opening the business.

The Instagrammable location of the Acai.Syd outlet on Marine Pde, Manly. Picture: Novak Properties

“The people of Manly are fantastic,” he said.

“It’s eclectic and it attracts beautiful people. There is an amazing energy coming out of Manly.

“And one of the things I’m going to miss most is the travellers from around the world that I’ve met.

“And there was the backpackers, and a couple of local girls, who worked for me who brought a beautiful spark to the environment.

“I’m really looking forward to just coming to Manly as a visitor again.”