The Burger Moore Cafe Ringwood East facing uncertain future if stage 4 lockdown introduced
A cafe owner known for some of Melbourne’s most popular vanilla slices fears stage four coronavirus restrictions could kill his business and others on his shopping strip, likening the present atmosphere to a “morgue”.
Outer East
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A cafe owner fears his business could go under and a Ringwood East shopping strip could change forever if stage four coronavirus restrictions are introduced.
The Burger Moore Cafe owner Dave Kayser said being restricted to takeaway service had proved tougher to handle second time around at his Bedford Rd cafe.
Mr Kayser said the cafe, known for its vanilla slices, had recorded a sales slump of 50 per cent since stage three restrictions were reintroduced in Melbourne last week.
He said customers were being cautious and he likened the atmosphere along the Bedford Rd shopping strip to “a morgue”.
“Last time we had a 30-40 minute wait for takeaway orders, this time people are more cautious and our business has actually halved,” Mr Kayser said.
“And since the rumours about stage four, it’s been even worse again.
“Every day is in limbo for us, it’s been traumatic and I’ve had sleepless nights, its very draining and suppliers are bleeding for money.”
Mr Kayser said tougher restrictions would be “catastrophic” for the shopping strip and he might have to close for good.
“Burger Moore would be possibly no longer, it’s a killer,” he said.
“Everyone else is suffering, you walk up and down this strip on a peak period, and it’s a morgue with the lack of passing trade.
“Bedford Rd will be no longer what we view Bedford Rd to be, there’s talks of other people just packing up their stuff in leaving.”
Bedford Rd Cellars’ Cruz Peng also said foot traffic at the strip was low, with the carpark mostly empty for most of Tuesday.
He said stage three restrictions had affected the store’s trade, as nearby restaurants that allowed BYO alcohol could no longer welcome customers.
“If it is coming (stage four) it means we have to shut, and that makes it hard with rent, power, everything,” he said.
But Fortunate Son owner Denis Reusser said his cafe was still going strong despite the quiet atmosphere at the strip.
Mr Reusser said the cafe had been buoyed by support from regular customers and an increase in takeaway coffee sales.
“There’s not as much foot traffic as there used to be, but we’re cruising,” he said.
“We’ve got loyal customers and a good community around us.”
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