The new Fitzroy Social will open in July

Retail Savvy acquired the Little Creatures Dining Hall at the top end of Brunswick Street in a long term lease from Fremantle-based brewery Little Creatures.

Retail Savvy was set up by Stewart Kozaria, a, a former accountant and Wagamama executive, and his wife Anna Carosa in 2007. The Fitzroy Social will be their fifth outlet.

The building itself is privately owned by the Baron Group.

Agents would not confirm details of the off-market deal but Fairrax reports that the 10-year lease is believed to be worth between $450,000 to $475,000 per annum.

“We will rebrand this magnificent site which was previously a wool storage shed post WWII to a venue which can be used for functions including corporate events and weddings,’’ said Anna Carsosa who is the group’s managing director.

“The venue will have a strong focus on locally sourced food and a back bar comprising a core range of locally produced beers and ciders.”

 The menu will also have extensive gluten-free and vegetarian options.

"It will be well within the confines of what the locals want to see," Mr Kozaria told Fairfax Media.

CBRE head of Victorian retail leasing Zelman Ainsworth, who has negotiated deals with Retail Savvy Group, told Fairfax Media that many operators were looking to to lease space on Brunswick Street.

His aim, he said, was to own and operate 10 venues around the Melbourne CBD within the next five years.

"We focus on the ambient aspect of business and it's growing quite nicely," he said.

The group’s portfolio includes Father's Office in the QV building, the Asian Beer Cafe in Melbourne Central, and the Shaw Davey Slum in Carlton.

^{by Leon Gettler, May, 27th 2016}