The Big Group’s Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh opened their new venue The Commons

The reopening of the hospitality industry has been a huge step forward for Melbourne, and two industry leaders have celebrated with the opening of The Commons at Ormond Collective.

Hospitality leaders Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh and Otto, celebrate the opening of their new venue called The Commons at Ormond Collective. Picture: David Caird

Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh have toasted the “rebirth of hospitality” at the opening of their new venue, The Commons at Ormond Collective.

The Big Group owners have welcomed the change to start revitalising the city’s events and social scene.

“We just wanted to do this because we’ve got all these staff who haven’t been working and we wanted to do something that was fun and creative,’’ Ms Keebaugh said.

“We love it and to see people again, it’s a very Melbourne setting and as the seasons change we’ll change the menu and it will organically grow.

“This is an opportunity to show the rest of Australia how well we can do it.

“And we’ll shine brighter.”

Inside Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh’s new venue called The Commons at Ormond Collective. Picture: David Caird

Mr Keebaugh, who has been critical of the wait for businesses to reopen, said it was disappointing there would be no crowds at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“I‘m sad about Flemington, it was such an opportunity,’’ he said.

“This is an image that will last 100 years what Melbourne looks like right now. It’s also an image that will be cast to 300 million people. We had an opportunity to show how we were leaning into COVID and I think that’s really disappointing for racing.”

He said everyone was doing their best to operate within the guidelines of 50 people outside and 20 inside.

“It’s the rebirth of hospitality, let’s having a ripping Spring Racing carnival. Go Melbourne.”

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