A popular Palestinian cafe in Sydney’s inner west has had to close due to difficulties with the landlord.
Restaurateur Sara Shaweesh announced that Khamsa Eatery would close its doors after service on Sunday following a huge rent increase proposed by the site’s owner.
The restaurant had been open for eight years, including two years in St Peters, after moving from Newtown in 2023.
Mrs Shaweesh said newspaper was unable to reach an agreement with the landlord, who reportedly proposed a 50 percent rent increase.
He said the challenges became “too difficult to overcome.”
“As we close our doors, we feel it’s important to shine a light on the challenges small businesses like ours face,” Shaweesh wrote in a post on Instagram.
‘Without significant government support, places like Khamsa are increasingly at risk.
“We hope this sparks conversations about the need to protect the diversity and identity that small businesses bring to our community.”
Business owner Sara Shaweesh (right) claimed her landlord had wanted to increase rent by 50 per cent in Sydney’s inner west.
The place served traditional Palestinian dishes which the owners said was their form of “resistance” against the problems in their homeland.
As well as offering a menu packed with tasty Middle Eastern cuisine, including smoked aubergines, chicken shawarma and makloubeh, Ms Shaweesh said her cafe played a vital role in the community.
It hosted cooking classes, cultural workshops and fundraising events, including one for the deaf Muslim community.
Shaweesh’s last post contained a defiant message that while the restaurant would have to close, “what we stand for will continue.”
‘Khamsa has always been more than a restaurant. “Every dish and every drink we served was a piece of Palestine, a connection to our roots, history and spirit,” he wrote.
“At a time when our family in Gaza is enduring unimaginable suffering and being massacred and ethnically cleansed, sharing our food has been an act of resistance.”
“It is a reminder that even under the weight of vile oppressors, our identity lives on through flavors, traditions, resilience and an eternal hope for a free Palestine,” he said.
Sara Shaweesh (left, with Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong) has had to close her beloved restaurant
The cafe has received well wishes from the local community after eight years of offering food, workshops and charity work.
Shaweesh said he may, however, move his operations to Melbourne in his farewell role.
However, for Shaweesh the closure may not mean the end of her time as a small business owner.
It may not be in Sydney.
“As a family, I have moved to Naarm (Melbourne) and hope to start a new project as soon as we have a long break,” he said.
Customers were disappointed to hear of the closure and shared their well wishes for staff, calling the events a “big loss for Sydney”.
“Khamsa served great food and educated the community at the same time,” one customer wrote online.
“Thank you for the delicious food and warmth you brought to everyone’s days,” another added.
“I’m sorry we lost you and your special place,” said a third.
“You made your dream come true and gave people a place to go.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Shaweesh for comment.