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Black Star Pastry closes all Melbourne stores due to cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living, lack of staff and post-Covid shopping conditions have claimed another popular Melbourne hospitality venue.

Black Star Pastry is closing all of its Melbourne stores from this Sunday due to the cost of living crisis. Picture: Aaron Francis.
Black Star Pastry is closing all of its Melbourne stores from this Sunday due to the cost of living crisis. Picture: Aaron Francis.

Trendy bakery Black Star Pastry is closing its Melbourne stores.
After five cake-filled years, the Sydney-born business will serve the final slice at its St Kilda, Melbourne and Chadstone stores this Sunday.

In a statement, the owners told the Herald Sun the current economic market and post-Covid trading conditions influenced their decision to downsize.

“The tough post-Covid trading conditions and economic climate have made it difficult to manage rising costs and coupled with the industry-wide staffing shortage, the business will revert to operating in its original form, with one cohesive team in NSW,” the statement said.

Black Star’s signature strawberry watermelon cake. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski
Black Star’s signature strawberry watermelon cake. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski
Black Star Pastry opened a new-look store in St Kilda during Covid. Picture: Josie Hayden
Black Star Pastry opened a new-look store in St Kilda during Covid. Picture: Josie Hayden

Four of Black Star Pastry’s Sydney stores, in Newtown, CBD, Rosebery, Chatswood and the Burwood pop-up, will remain open.

Black Star Pastry first opened in St Kilda, at the Prince Hotel in 2019 and fast became popular with locals thanks to the cult following for its famed strawberry watermelon cake.

Founded by Sydney pastry chef Christopher Thé in 2008, it was later snapped up by luxury Melbourne hotelier Louis Li in 2018.

Li owns the Jackalope Hotel group behind posh Mornington Peninsula hotel Jackalope, Doot Doot Doot and Rare Hare restaurants.

Read related topics:Chadstone

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/food/black-star-pastry-closes-all-melbourne-stores-due-to-cost-of-living-crisis/news-story/1351629353f8d69daad3680d38d2e767