The much-loved Melbourne east businesses which closed in 2019
They were beloved by customers across Melbourne’s east — and caused shock when they closed in 2019. From failed lease negotiations to convictions for food safety breaches, here’s why these stores and restaurants shut up shop.
Outer East
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They hold a special place in people’s hearts — and shoppers in Melbourne’s east were shocked when some of their favourite shops and restaurants shut down in 2019.
Some had high rent, others went on charitable missions, while another got shut down for food convictions.
Here are six staples of the outer east which bid farewell in the past 12 months.
BARCLAYS CAFE — HEATHMONT VILLAGE
It was an institution for 17 years at one end of Heathmont Village.
But an eviction notice was suddenly whacked on the front door of Barclays Cafe in September.
Owner Steve Wilson — who had been in charge since 2014 — claimed serious health issues including a heart attack earlier in the year had forced him to walk away from the business.
Maroondah Leader understands a new owner has been found for the property and it will open as a renamed cafe and wine bar in March.
THE GUM TREE COFFEE LOUNGE — OAKLEIGH CENTRAL
Locals weren’t just shocked when they found out the Gum Tree cafe would be closing down shortly after Christmas, they were downright angry.
Regarded as the perfect community meeting place at Oakleigh Central, the cafe has been serving a diverse mix of clientele for about 20 years.
But the thinking from management was that it wanted to “refresh” its retailer mix and the Gum Tree cafe — along with popular owner Hiep Nguyen — was soon on the way out.
Regular shopper Glenda, who didn’t provide her last name, said “some who go there are intellectually challenged, others are on motorised wheelchairs and many are elderly”.
PAESANO — KNOX OZONE
It was one of the few original eateries left at Knox Ozone — and then Italian restaurant Paesano quietly shut its doors in May due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Last month, it was revealed Knox Council had slapped 12 food safety charges on the restaurants' two directors, relating to matters between December 2018 and January 2019.
They were each convicted and fined $25,000 — and according to council, the pair told the court the company had gone into liquidation and they were bankrupt.
TERRY’S MEATS — MOOROOLBARK TERRACE
The rise of UberEats and shoppers’ ‘lazy’ buying habits led Terry’s Meats to closing its doors in May after 40 years serving the outer east.
The business was based at The Terrace shopping centre in Mooroolbark for 27 years — and previously also in Chirnside Park, Healesville, Bayswater and Mitcham.
Owner Terry Widnall also had to spend time in hospital as recovered from cancer treatment.
Son Daniel said the struggle was real for “every bakery, every fruit shop and service station”.
“People are lazy, they don’t want to walk across the road, they go to a one-stop-shop that makes it easy for them,” he said.
COLOMBO’S — BALWYN
It was a much-loved Italian family restaurant and many locals thought it had some of the best pizzas in town.
But Colombo’s closed just shy of its 50th birthday on February 27 when administrators were appointed to take over the building.
The restaurant had its famous facade on Whitehorse Rd and turned over about $120,000 a week in its heyday.
It was run by the Kurban family since 1986 and then solely by Nabil Kurban from 2016.
FINE BOOKS AND CLASSIC STAMPS — CROYDON MAIN STREET
After more than 30 years collecting mountains of books, Robert Akeroyd decided to dive headfirst into his other passion — helping refugees.
The owner of the small second-hand shop Fine Books and Classic Stamps left Croydon’s Midway Arcade in April.
Mr Akeroyd wanted to dedicate more time to his charity Land Of Welcome, which hosts picnics for new arrivals in Melbourne.
“I’ve been reading books since I was eight years old and I have always wanted to do something more meaningful with my life,” he said.
“I consider people far more important than books.”