Restaurants, bars, cafes hurry to shut down under coronavirus lockdown laws
Melbourne’s vibrant and thriving cafe and bar culture is fast shutting down, with eateries scrambling to find new ways to survive through the bleak months ahead.
Leader
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Cafes and restaurants in Melbourne’s outer east have moved to takeaway orders only, while some have shut completely as Victoria’s strict new social distancing regulations came into force on Monday.
All pubs, clubs, casinos, cinemas, entertainment venues, nightclubs and places of worship shut across the country from 12pm March 23, with restaurants and cafes now unable to seat customers.
Many licensed hotels across the city didn’t bother to open on Monday, with pubs such as the Blackburn Hotel and the Manhattan Hotel in Ringwood staying shut.
Only a handful of people could be seen in Croydon’s usually bustling Main St, and there was barely anyone in Eastland’s Town Square as restaurant staff packed away outdoor seating and tables.
Croydon’s Zelena Cafe Bar & Restaurant will remain open and serve only take away coffee, drinks, meals and cakes made in-house.
Owner Maria Makantasis told the Leader it had been a “frantic” day preparing for the shutdown.
“They didn’t give us much notice so we’ve been a little bit frantic today trying to empty fridges, rearrange stock and close unnecessary fridges we’re not using at the moment,” she said.
“It’ll probably be different from what we’re used to but I believe it will go back one day, we’re thinking positive that the government will help us.”
A staff member at Eastland’s Brioche French patisserie and artisan bakery said they were awaiting further advice but they would also try to remain open and serve take away only.
But many other businesses have chosen to close altogether, including the Croydon Cinemas, Croydon Hotel, apart from the bottle shop, Mr. Beans and The Ten Saints bar and beer garden.
“This was an extremely painful decision for us to make but we must do our part if the virus is to be slowed down and to stop our healthcare system from collapsing,” a sign on the door of The Ten Saints said.
“As always, we care about the health and wellbeing of all our customers and the local community and wish you all to be safe and be kind to each other during this very uncertain time.”
The team behind the Mordialloc restaurant monopoly, including Main St cafe, Side St lounge, Mamma Francas Pizza Hall, Bang Bang restaurant, SunnyBoy Beach Club and Immi dumpling bar, announced the indefinite closure of all venues plus its Parkdale wine bar, Parkers Pavilion, effective Monday.
“It’s with a heavy heart that in light of the current climate and situation upon us, that we need to close our venues for the safety of our loved customers and our legendary team,” staff said in a statement online.
“At this stage, we do not know when we will reopen... we would like to thank you all for the love and support over the years and look forward to seeing you all again.
“Until then, stay safe and healthy.”
‘We don’t want to end up like Italy’
Rosebud Hotel owner Andrew Nikakis said he was preparing for the restrictions to last six months.
“We’re doing what we can to keep staff on and provide a service to the community,” he said.
“We have to be patient and self-isolate. We don’t want to end up like Italy.”
The Rosebud Hotel drive-through bottle shop, which will remain open daily from 9am-10pm, has introduced take home meals that can be reheated at home.
Customers will also be able to buy hot meals from the servery daily between 5.30pm and 8pm.
They can either phone in their order and pick it up from the hotel’s side entrance at 8th Avenue or order it in person.
Those ordering in person will be given a buzzer and asked to wait outside for their food.
The Rye Hotel is also selling take home meals and cafe style food from the drive through bottle shop.
A limited delivery service for hot dinners was also being launched.
Just a few minutes after noon, the usually bustling Overland Dv entrance to Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren was eerily quiet as the row of eateries and the Fountain Gate Hotel stacked the chairs and closed their doors.
Staff were still attaching signs to the hotel windows and the al fresco dining and drinking area was empty.
One sign read: “Unfortunately we are closing our doors for a while. We thank you for your support and can’t wait to welcome you our locals back for a beer. Stay safe.”
Surrounding cafes and restaurants were either closed or had a section open for take out food.
A manager at Twisted Sista Cafe and Gelateria said they were still open for take away drinks and food.
“This a very uncertain and confusing time for businesses,” he said.
At the hugely popular Fountain Gate Sporting Globe pub, a TV hanging above the outdoor area still relayed sport but there were no customers as the pub shut down its bar and restaurant.
One staff member said: “Please let everyone know we are doing takeaway and also Uber eats and online ordering from our app.”
In Thomastown, Hanna Coffee owner Azra Kurspahic said it was a sad moment to shut the doors of her beloved Thomastown cafe.
“It is very sad but we understand why,” she said.
“Everyone has to listen to the government orders so we can all survive the pandemic.
“Everyone needs to stay positive and hopefully we will return to normal soon.”
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