St Ali slammed for offering customers free RATs for huge spend

A popular South Melbourne cafe has come under fire for offering customers ‘free’ rapid antigen tests – with a significant string attached.

The owner of popular Melbourne cafe St Ali has apologised after copping criticism for offering two free RAT’s for customers who spend $160. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

A popular South Melbourne cafe is facing fierce public backlash after offering “free” rapid antigen tests to customers who spend more than $150.

The owner of St Ali has now apologised after the cafe became the centre of a social media storm on Monday, when messages sent to customers describing the offer went public.

St Ali sent a message to customers informing them that they had come into possession of a number of RAT’s, adding that members who spent $159 on coffee could receive a “free” two-pack.

St Ali also offered free shipping across Australia as a part of the deal.

The message from St Ali. Picture: Reddit

The business then sent an apology.

“So gross, I’m done ordering their coffee now,” one user, who received the message, said online.

On Tuesday, owner Salvatore Malatesta apologised for the “inappropriate” offer.

“We believed this was a way of supporting our customers whom (sic) purchase from us regularly,” St Ali said on their Instagram page in a now-removed post.

“But the message has been lost. We can see in hindsight it was inappropriate.”

The business said once any more rapid antigen tests were received they would be donated to a South Melbourne charity.

Rapid antigen tests are in-demand across Australia, and they are now free in Victoria in certain settings.

The state government has announced that 44 million RAT tests will be arriving in Victoria alone in the coming months.