Newtown riverside cafe Sweet Adeline forced to find new home

A cafe which operates out of a small caravan inside a Newtown car park has been forced to find a new home after a Geelong-based developer bought the site.

Sweet Adeline owners Barton and JT Ellis with Peaches the dog. Picture: Alison Wynd

A cafe at a Newtown car park has been forced to find a new home after a Geelong developer bought the site.

Sweet Adeline, owned by Barton and JT Ellis for about three years, operates out of a small caravan on the banks of the Barwon River.

Hamilton Group are the new owners of the property.

Mr Ellis said the business would cease trading at the end of September so they can clear the space and vacate by October.

“We were trying to get commitment from the new owner that we could stay but unfortunately that’s not the case,” he said.

“We’ve been scouting for a new place that could be suitable for us and we’ve had a few people approach us (about some sites).”

Mr Ellis said there were a “few sleepless nights” when it was confirmed they would have to move.

“It’s just business and it’s normal, we understand that,” he said.

“Until we settle somewhere, we will be a bit anxious.

“There are a couple of possibilities and we’re feeling a bit more optimistic.”

Loyal customers were sad and frustrated their favourite cafe was forced to find a new home.

Sweet Adeline owners Barton and JT Ellis with Peaches the dog and their loyal customers. Picture: Alison Wynd

The business has expanded from a caravan in an empty carpark into an alfresco area with plants and fruit trees and is popular among walkers and their furry friends.

Mrs Ellis said they were heartbroken to have to find a new home but there thankful for the support of the community they’ve built.

“It effects each (of our customer’s) lives,” she said.

“We’re a part of their walks and their lifestyle.”

The couple were adamant that “this isn’t the end, just a new beginning”.

A spokeswoman for the Hamilton Group said it had lodged an application to Geelong council “that would ultimately see the retention and adaptive reuse of the former historic Albion Mill building into a vibrant place to visit and work, while respecting the significance of the heritage place.”

“Ideally, our vision is to build on this emerging mixed use precinct which introduces contemporary commercial floor space, and a restaurant overlooking the Barwon River,” the spokeswoman said.

“In order to restore and progress the site, we need to follow and practice construction safety protocols and vacate the current tenants.

“It simply would not be a safe environment for them to continue to operate, and unfortunately there’s no way around that.”

Sweet Adeline’s final day of trading at the site will be September 23.

You can stay up to date on their quest for a new home on Instagram @sweetadelinecafe.

Originally published as Newtown riverside cafe Sweet Adeline forced to find new home