Community outraged at ‘hipster scum’ attacks on Footscray businesses

SUPPORTERS of new businesses in Melbourne’s inner west have expressed their disappointment in recent attacks on so-called “hipster” traders.

The vandalised front of 8-Bit burger store in Footscray.

SUPPORTERS of new businesses in the rapidly gentrifying inner west have expressed disappointment with recent attacks on “hipster” shops.

A popular burger chain, a cafe and a clothing shop in Footscray appear to have been targeted by vandals during the New Year period.

Tshirt store Das Automat was egged on December 30. Picture: Justin Mansfield

Trendy shipping container cafe Rudimentary was also targeted. Picture: Josie Hayden

Leeds St cafe Rudimentary was left to clean up a stinky mess after a bag of rotten meat was left on the front door on December 30 and burger store 8bit had 14 window panels smashed and the words “F--- off hipster scum” scrawled on its shopfront about 5am on January 1.

On Facebook, Justin Mansfield shared pictures of T-shirt print shop Das Automat on Barkly St which he said was egged on December 30.

Das Automat management were not able to be contacted for comment.

On the Maribyrnong Leader Facebook page Natalie Lumdsden said “hipsters” were investing in the community and may have worked hard to become successful.

Commenter Luke Kovanovic said the so-called “hipster scum” were adding value back to a suburb that was “run down.”

Rudimentary cafe owner Desmond Huynh said he felt the damage was the work of “one or two bad apples”.

“I think it’s been blown out of proportion, we found it by the front door, put it in the bin and moved on,” he said.

8bit owner Shayne McCallum says he’s not a hipster. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

However, he said the vandalism of popular burger chain 8bit was an “outrageous” act.

8bit owner Shayne McCallum told 3AW he thought it was a “bit amusing” because he’s not a hipster at all.

“It’s just graffiti, it can come off, it’s not a big deal,” he said.

Footscray Traders Association president and Littlefoot bar co-owner Stuart Lucca-Pope said the attacks were no surprise to him.

“We were attacked three months into being open, obviously there’s a small group of people who don’t like change,” he said.

The trader said the area was a constantly evolving town but some people didn’t respond well to change.

“There are always people who complain about gentrification,” he said.

Mr Lucca-Pope said the bar put up signs after they were vandalised letting locals know they were a small business invested in the community and not a multinational.

The owner said it was the fourth time their windows had been smashed but the first time it had been graffitied.