Salvatore’s Cafe owner calls out ‘senseless’ damage

A Darwin business owner has called out ‘senseless’ vandalism, urging Territorians to condemn bad behaviour before it is ‘normalised’. See the video.

Salvatore’s Cafe has stoically sat at the corner of Knuckey and Smith streets in Darwin since April, 1997.

Despite its CBD location, owner Sean Johnston says he is extremely lucky to have dodged significant crime and vandalism over the past 28 years.

“For a place in the middle of the city we do alright,” he said.

But every so often, Mr Johnston’s restaurant is subject to “senseless” vandalism and theft, leading him to call out bad behaviour.

The most recent incident was last Tuesday about 9pm when CCTV footage captured a woman kicking his glass door in.

Sean Johnston the owner of Salvatore's Cafe in Darwin with his daughter Maeve.

“As you can see in the video, there’s no reason for it,” Mr Johnston said.

“They just lost it for themselves, and saw a door and thought I’ll kick it.

“There’s just no reason for it and that’s what’s most disappointing.

“It’s senseless.”

Mr Johnston said it was not the first time someone had taken out their personal frustration on his store facade.

“Last time this happened it was exactly the same,” he said.

“Someone was just angry, and they weren’t angry at us, they just kicked our door for no reason.”

Mr Johnston has lived in the Northern Territory for 35 years.

Mr Johnston said he was “disappointed” in the vandalism to his door.

He said he was worried Territorians were beginning to normalise this type of wanton destruction.

“Any vandalism, stuff like that, we shouldn’t normalise it,” the restauranter said.

“I feel we always have to call this behaviour out.

“We want a civilised society where things aren’t being broken.

“A place where people can walk safely, a place we can be proud of.

“It makes our city less inviting which is not the way it should be.”

Mr Johnston said the damage would cost him between $300-500 in excess fees to his insurer.

Salvatore’s Cafe has been a mainstay on the Darwin food scene since the late 1990s.

He has reported the damage to police but doubts the person responsible will have to pay restitution.

“It’s sad, as a society I feel we’re not holding people accountable,” he said.

Nevertheless, Mr Johnston says he still remains optimistic about the future of the city he calls home, so much so he has opened up a new restaurant on the Stuart Highway in Winnellie — Fiesta Flavors Buffet.

“It has an underlying Filipino theme with international flair,” he said.

“Our signature dish is a whole pig spit roast, a Filipino specialty called Lechon — it’s guaranteed to get your mouth watering.

“Darwin doesn’t have many buffet options, so that’s why we’ve opted for a buffet.”

Mr Johnston opened his new restaurant in December, 2024, his most recent venture after nearly 40 years in the restaurant business.

“Come on down to Fiesta Flavors Buffet, I guarantee you’ll find something you enjoy,” he said.

Originally published as Salvatore’s Cafe owner calls out ‘senseless’ damage