Maning Reef Cafe to close doors at Sandy Bay venue after 13 years

After 13 years, the family behind a beloved Sandy Bay seafood cafe have made the decision to walk away with their heads held high, as concern over an uncertain future mounts. DETAILS>

Maning Reef Cafe at Sandy bay who are closing after 13 years, (L-R) Dinda Subandi, Kate Caire, Titin Wahyuni and John Caire. Picture: Chris Kidd

The family behind a popular Sandy Bay seafood cafe has made the decision to walk away as concern over an uncertain future mounts.

Kate Caire, co-owner of Maning Reef Cafe in Sandy Bay, has run the cafe alongside her father, John Caire, for 13 years.

The cafe is a family affair, with stepmother Pitin and stepsister Dinda also working behind the counter.

And despite a bumper summer of sales, Ms Caire said it was time to walk away – citing the impending end of the cafe’s lease, an uncertain economic future, and the increasing rise in costs of running the business.

“We are taking the opportunity to duck out gracefully, while things are still good,” Ms Caire said.

Maning Reef Cafe at Sandy bay who are closing after 13 years, (L-R) Dinda Subandi, Kate Caire, Titin Wahyuni and John Caire. Picture: Chris Kidd

She said she had seen a stark increase in operating costs and Tasmanian seafood prices over the years, particularly in the past six months.

“I understand inflation, but with the rising costs there is only so much you can pass on to your customers,” she said.

“We have a responsibility to keep prices reasonable so people can afford meals,

“Our seed oil that we use has gone from $45 a drum, to $100 in the past six months.”

As for the price of flathead, Ms Caire said she she had seen the price rise from $22/kg 13 years ago, to $90/kg at Christmas last year.

She said the cafe and her family had been fortunate to have a great community who had rallied around them during the worst of the pandemic.

“It’s really sad, we’re going to miss so many customers, all our regulars, even being in the area,” she said.

They aren’t the only ones worried about the future, with many businesses and consumers feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living.

“Some of my friends in the industry agree that things are starting to spiral,” she said.

Mr Caire has had a long history of feeding Sandy Bay residents, having owned several other eateries in the Sandy Bay area since 1974.

Kate hoped John, 74, would now get to enjoy a well-earned retirement, although she doubts he will take much of a back seat.

“Hopefully dad at 74, will retire, but you can’t keep a good man down,” she said.

“I will take (some time off) too, but this isn’t the last of me.”

The cafe will continue trading until Easter.