Oakleigh Central: Management moves on popular Gum Tree Coffee Lounge
It’s been a popular community hub for years but Oakleigh Central’s Gum Tree Coffee Lounge will be closed against its wishes at the end of the year. Here’s why.
East
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The owner of a popular Oakleigh Central cafe claims he is being forced to close because centre management wants to “refresh” its retailer mix.
The community has expressed disappointment at the decision to not renew the contract with the Gum Tree Coffee Lounge, which expires on December 31.
Cafe owner Hiep Nguyen said he’d been in business more than 20 years and that the decision was “unfair” and “morally wrong”.
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” he said.
Mr Nguyen said he and his loyal customers had no option but to try and convince centre management it was making a bad decision.
“Why would you get rid of the shops that do OK? What kind of vision are they pursuing?” he said.
Glenda, who didn’t provide her last name, said many people saw the cafe as an important community hub.
“Some who go there are intellectually challenged, others are on motorised wheelchairs and many are elderly. There are also many who have lost their spouses and like to go for the company of friends they have made,” she said.
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Centre manager Anna Hickling said management wanted to “ensure we’re meeting the changing needs and expectations of our customers”.
“We’ve recently welcomed Specsavers and Mr Minute to our centre, which aligns to our vision for Oakleigh Central as a convenient destination for our community,” Ms Hickling said.
“We want to ensure Oakleigh Central is a vibrant place to shop, dine and access convenient services. We will continue to work with the team at Gum Tree cafe until the end of their lease.”