Melbourne’s next chapter following the world’s longest Covid lockdown overseen by divisive former premier Daniel Andrews is taking shape as once-closed venues prepare to reopen.
Hotel operators are returning to Melbourne according to estate agents, with property firm Fitzroys recently signing five deals for new venues, led by a new Japanese restaurant on the former site of the popular Izakaya Den restaurant which closed in April.
“We saw a period of innovation across the CBD following the recession of the 1990s and are currently seeing a similar pattern of new hospitality venues opening and alleyway activation as city center living takes off again “said commercial leasing agent James Lockwood. .
The former site of Izakaya Den, a “hospitality icon” that closed its doors after more than 15 years serving Japanese cuisine, will be relaunched as a new high-end restaurant and bar under new operators called Miyazaki Gyu.
Among the other leases, a new deli concept called Peck’s Road will enter the CBD in a prominent Manchester Lane location and legendary Melbourne operator Sutinee Suntivatana, behind Humble Rays, Tori’s, Regale restaurant, Galer bar and Burapa, is opening Tori’s Bakery Cafè in a renovated 124 Exhibition Street.
Mr Lockwood said workers returning to the office, the completion of the Metro tunnel and more favorable market conditions were creating a dream in Melbourne.
“Consultations and agreements have intensified well before Christmas,” said his colleague Franklin Gikas.
“We are seeing a lot of interest in properties with hotel infrastructure in place that will be profitable and profitable to reestablish.”
Popular Melbourne Japanese restaurant Izakaya Den, which closed earlier this year, will be the site of a new Japanese restaurant and bar, Miyazaki Gyu.
The restaurant was one of dozens that closed after weathering the closures.
Melbourne is still recovering from a world record 262 days of Covid lockdowns under the Andrews government, who stepped down as premier in September 2023 after ten years.
The Premier, who loves him or hates him, has already felt the quick rebuke from some locals.
FFormer AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular venue Lamaro’s Hotel in South Melbourne, said the former premier would certainly not be welcome there as a guest and was “easily the most hated person” in Victoria.
The “trail of destruction” Andrews left behind after his tenure as prime minister was damning, Dimattina previously told Daily Mail Australia.
“The trail of destruction Andrews left is still felt today, small businesses closed, endless closures, critical healthcare neglected, kids out of school… it didn’t help anyone,” he said.
‘Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once the thriving restaurants close, it’s the same on all the main streets, Chapel St, Lygon St, there are empty businesses everywhere.
“What Andrews did was make running a small business not an easy thing… he’d be better off leaving the state, I’m sure there are some people who still love him, lefties and all, but he’s not welcome anywhere.” side and us”. We’ll all be better off not seeing him here.
Former Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has shouldered much of the blame for the city’s unrest that locals have felt since Covid.
Melbourne became the world’s epicenter when it came to Covid infection rates and Andrews imposed the longest lockdown on record for its residents while in office.
Dimattina became a leading voice opposing Victoria’s response to Covid when Andrews imposed the world’s longest lockdown periods.
Others quickly joined in, including fellow restaurateur Chris Lucas, who revealed that when Mr Andrews’ wife called to book a table at his Windsor restaurant Hawker Hall, he told her: “Sorry, it’s not available.”
Lucas revealed that Di Stasio, a famous Melbourne restaurant group that is not part of his hotel group, also denied Andrews a reservation for his birthday around the same period.
Restaurants were not the only venues to turn their backs on Andrews following his controversial approach to Covid.
Members of the prestigious Melbourne National Golf Club, on the Mornington Peninsula, banded together last year to block Andrews’ interest in joining.
And now Jim’s Mowing boss Jim Penman has officially terminated Mr Andrews from his company and said the former Victorian premier was banned from using any of its services on Friday.
Penman urged “all of Victoria” to blacklist Andrews in the future.
“If I was on the tools, I wouldn’t work for him, and I would encourage any franchisee or independent contractor to do the same,” Penman told Daily Mail Australia.
Prominent restaurateurs have begun banning Mr Andrews from their premises, including Jim’s Mowing Boss Jim Penman, who said the former prime minister is no longer a welcome customer.
‘It left over 100,000 independent contractors out of work for two months, without ANY health advice, as our lawsuit now demonstrates.
“I’ll be very happy to think that he’ll have to mow his own lawn, clean his own house and cook his own dinner, but I’m sure there will be someone who likes it and will do it for him.”
‘It must be humiliating for him (to be included in the back list). He was all-powerful sitting on his throne in Spring St, wagging his fingers saying who can work and who can’t, but now the people have the power.’
Andrews was Victorian premier for almost nine years before resigning at the end of 2023 and taking a new role at Orygen, a mental health organisation.