Beloved Prospect 'rent-a-rack' Mekko Market and Cafe to close, may re-open in new format
A Prospect cafe known for its unique market concept will close this weekend, leaving customers devastated. But it may not be the end of the road for the concept.
A popular Prospect business will close its doors this weekend, but has hinted they may reopen at a new location and format in the future.
Mekko Market and Cafe is set to close after more than seven years of operation.
The business is well-known for a popular “rent-a-rack” concept, where locals can sell clothes and homeware they no longer need on racks that Mekko provides.
Owners Irene Kollanus and Tom Nilsson brought the concept from Finland to Australia in 2018 after realising that there was a gap in the market.
“For the first two years we were the first one, so it became very popular,” co-owner Irene Kollanus said.
However, after more than seven years of operation, the couple have sold the business and are looking toward a few months’ break.
“We’re ready to have a break. Tom has been a chef for over 30 years,” Ms Kollanus said.
“We just want to step back for a little while and then figure out what we’re going to do next.”
The cafe garnered many loyal customers, with some devastated about the decision to close doors.
“They’re very upset, a lot of them have been crying and I’ve been crying with them, so it’s very, very sad news,” Ms Kollanus said.
“Some have been happy for us because they know we’re ready to move on.”
However, the couple say they may look to re-open in the future without the cafe, and instead have a shop with the rent-a-rack concept as the sole purpose of the business.
“We could be back in Prospect, we’re also looking at the Hyde Park area, all that matters to us is that it’s in a great location,” Ms Kollanus said.
Mekko Market and Cafe join other recent business exits on Prospect Rd.
Sideways Liquor, owned by Prospect Hotel and Cellars and located just a couple shops down from Mekko, promised to return after a brief break announced on March 3, which can now be revealed as permanently closed.
Their news comes as Big Shed Brewing suddenly shut down after an abrupt terminated lease, forcing closure. However, the owners are keen to get their business back on track.
Mekko Market and Cafe is one of the latest businesses to shut down, following the popular Central Market Stall House of Organics announcing their closure.
Originally published as Beloved Prospect 'rent-a-rack' Mekko Market and Cafe to close, may re-open in new format
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