‘Dying in silence’: Closing restaurant shares sad ‘wake-up call’
The owners of a beloved Italian restaurant – which was once booked out “every weekend” – has shared a poignant video of the struggles faced by “dying” small businesses.
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A beloved Sydney Italian restaurant – which was once booked out “every weekend”- is set to close its doors, with its owner sharing a “wake-up call” to Aussies as small businesses are left “dying in silence”.
Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea, owned by Sicilian-born chef Simone Crivello and partner Isobel Galloway, has been serving up authentic Sicilian food in Paddington, in Sydney’s inner-east, for over five years.
But amid the cost of living crisis and climbing rents, the popular restaurant has made the difficult decision to close in August, highlighting the struggles the Sydney hospitality industry faces in a poignant video message on social media.
“Sydney, what happened to you? This used to be one of the most vibrant cities in the world,” Ms Galloway said in a video on the restaurant’s Instagram page, which was not intended as a “pity post” but rather a “wake-up call”.
“Our restaurant was once full, bookings every night, laughter echoing through the walls, and food made with soul. Now, we’re lucky if a few tables fill.”
Ms Galloway acknowledged Zafferano is not the only restaurant struggling, claiming Australia is grappling with a recession.
“Small businesses are dying in silence while rent climbs, costs soar, and politicians pretend everything is fine.”
“We’re in a recession, whether they wanna say it or not. People can’t afford to go out. Families are struggling, somehow the government still acts like this is just a phase, but it’s not. It’s the reality they helped create,” she claimed.
“The economy is tanking, and the people who built this city – the chefs, the creatives, the small business owners – we’re the ones paying the price.”
Ms Galloway said her restaurant is having to shut not because it “failed, but because the system did”.
“Before we go – ask yourself this. Where are you spending your money? Who are you choosing to support? And what kind of city do you want to live in?” she continued.
“Without small businesses, culture dies, community dies, and all that’s left is soulless chains and boarded-up shop fronts. This isn’t just a goodbye, it’s a wake-up call,” she concluded.
The restaurant further called on Sydneysiders to choose local and support Sydney it said has “been left to crumble”.
“If we don’t fight for what matters … there won’t be anything left to fight for,” it captioned the post.
Many Aussies praised Ms Galloway for highlighting the struggles many businesses continue to face.
“This makes me so sad,” one person wrote.
“100% agree, we have been in a recession for about two years now,” another wrote.
“Finally someone being honest and transparent about what’s really going on! Small business needs support and some tax breaks to help keep the culture alive!,” said another.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Ms Galloway said she and her husband, who welcomed a child in February, said they made the decision to not renew their lease after spending the last 18 months enduring the cost-of-living ciris as well as increased rent and wages.
“The past two years have been notoriously tough for hospitality,” she said.
“It’s been a really tricky time and all venues have had to deal with it. But being tiny and family run, it’s taken toll on us.
Ms Galloway added they “would have happily stayed in business for next 20 years but we can’t afford to”.
Looking to the future, the couple said they will be releasing a cookbook and plan to host food tours and open a B&B in Sicily.
They will shut their doors at the end of August.
NSW cafe braces for latest financial hit
Zafferano isn’t alone in feeling the crunch.
Three Flamingos Espresso, a beloved cafe in Albion Park, near Wollongong, has been struggling with sharp increases to the cost of insurance, electricity, produce and stock – all of which has seen its profit margin shrink to a razor-thin five per cent.
Owner Brad Pettitt told news.com.au earlier this month he was bracing for the latest financial hit after the Fair Work Commission announced a 3.5 per cent hike to the minimum wage starting on July 1.
“Our staff work really hard and they absolutely should be rewarded, but in the context of all these other huge cost increases, it’s really difficult to cope,” Mr Pettitt said.
“In the past two years, our electricity costs are up 40 per cent, gas 20 per cent, insurance and worker’s comp both 10 per cent, coffee recently went up 15 per cent, bacon is up 10 per cent, and eggs, of course, the big one, is 44 per cent.
“The wage increase is modest for a few employees, but we have a staff of 24 so it all adds up to a big additional expense.”
Millions of workers will see their hour rate lift to $24.95, a total of $948 per week based on 38 hours worked, up from $24.10 per hour and $915.90 per week.
The Australian Industry Group estimated that the increase will see the national wages bill rise by $5 billion over the coming financial year.
“We’re doing everything we can to diversify our income streams because we can’t rely on day to day trade,” Mr Pettitt said.
“It’s just not viable anymore.”
He concedes an increase in menu prices is now inevitable.
Industry groups say the larger-than-anticipated minimum wage increase will hurt vulnerable businesses, especially those in hospitality, and consumers will ultimately pay.
Originally published as ‘Dying in silence’: Closing restaurant shares sad ‘wake-up call’
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