MAGA cafe owner reopens after controversies
A Sydney cafe owner who closed his business after a series of online controversies in 2020 has asked the community for “forgiveness” as he opens a new venue in a shock location.
A pro-Trump owner who shut down his cafe after making a series of offensive comments online, including homophobic slurs, has asked for “forgiveness” from the community ahead of the opening of his new cafe in Sydney’s inner west.
Mark Da Costa closed his Waterloo cafe Hale and Hearty in 2020 after being involved in a series of internet controversies in which he called a member of the community a “p**f” and declared his cafe a “Donald Trump safe zone” which served pancakes with a “side of racism”.
At the time, Mr Da Costa blamed the “left-wing fake vegan community” for the closure, telling those who criticised his attitude to “go f**k yourself”.
Mr Da Costa is now reopening a “seed oil-free and whole foods” eatery at the end of Newtown’s famous King Street called Bueno, which opens on March 19.
Speaking to news.com.au ahead of the opening, Mr Da Costa said he hoped to move forward from his “monumental online meltdown” in 2020.
He said he has since “moved on” and “made peace with my actions”.
“A very painful affair that was in 2020,” he said.
“For those still holding a grudge, I leave these famous words to ponder: “Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”.
“Forgiveness is a powerful tool bestowed only to those willing to fully live life to the fullest.
He said he had matured and grown in the past five years since the controversy.
“I chose to progress forward and take a risk to put things right,” he said.
“I’m not here to discuss politics, just here to serve unadulterated food and employ talented individuals that go above and beyond for the guests we provide food and beverages to in the area.”
News of Mr Da Costa’s new venture has already created a stir online with the Newtown community.
“Surely this is a wind-up,” one commenter wrote on the Newtown community page.
“Newtown of all places.”
Mr Da Costa is taking over the lease from Khamsa Eatery, a Palestinian eatery that has recently shut its doors.
“I made an inquiry based on window decal advertising, (and) there was a vacancy or vacancies in the building,” he said.
“I wish them well.”
Mr De Costa said Bueno is set to be a “seed oil free and whole foods comfort food destination”.
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