Community rallies to save Lilo Cafe, Mornington

Hundreds have signed a petition to save Lilo Cafe from being “taken over” by the bookshop next door. The landlord says there’s more to the story.

Lilo Cafe owner Mark Johnstone says his business has been told to move on. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A bitter battle is brewing on the Mornington Peninsula over the future of a popular cafe.

Lilo Cafe, which operates out of a 100-year-old building on The Esplanade in Mornington, is seeking a 12-year lease when its current 15-year arrangement finishes on October 1.

Landlord Leonid Kouvelis, who operates second-hand bookshop Books By The Bay in the same building, isn’t willing to give Lilo operator Mark Johnstone such a long lease.

Mr Johnston said he had been told the cafe “had to be out by October 1”.

“After almost 15 years this is an incredible loss for the local community and the loss of 20 jobs,” he posted to social media.

“Once we are gone that’s it! No more local cafe at Fishies Beach.”

Lilo Cafe on The Esplanade in Mornington. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mornington’s cafe set have rallied behind Lilo amid claims Mr Kouvelis wants the cafe out so he can expand his book shop into the space.

More than 250 people have signed a petition which supports the cafe continuing and opposes the book shop expansion.

Lilo Cafe initially plastered their windows with signed petition sheets and letters from devastated customers.

Petition sheets signed by locals lobbying the landlord to renew the cafe lease. Picture: Lucy Callander

Customers are pleading with the Lilo Cafe landlord to allow the business to stay. Picture: Lucy Callander

However, the petition sheets and letters were removed on Thursday.

The issue has also gone viral on social media as hundreds responded to Mr Johnstone’s post.

“There will be nowhere for any locals to walk to for great coffee between Mount Martha Village and Main Street, Mornington,” one customer posted.

“That is so sad. We need places like this. hope the landlord will change his mind,” another posted.

“Love books but much prefer to eat the good food you provided.”

Books by the Bay owner Leonid Kouvelis is the landlord for Lilo Cafe next door. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mr Kouvelis told the Herald Sun he wanted to share his side of the story after receiving “hurtful” emails from people about the cafe lease.

“I’m a punching bag at the moment,” he said.

The former English teacher said he didn’t want to upset the community and understood how beloved the cafe was.

“I don’t want to see the cafe go,” he said.

But he couldn’t agree to a 12-year lease.

“That’s an unreasonable length of time,” Mr Kouvelis said.

Mr Kouvelis said he hoped to negotiate a shorter lease for the cafe with the tenant.