Brawl over plans to close Canberra café
Popular Canberra eatery Sakeena’s Café is being closed down after 15 years of serving customers in Cooleman Court.
Mirvac Retail has given the owners notice that they have to vacate by July 3.
That’s a huge blow for the Stavrakis family who have run the café and who have been associated with Cooleman Court now for 30 years, having previously run a local fruit shop there for 18 years.
For cafe owner Minas Stavrakis, it’s a complete mystery. Mirvac Retail have not provided him with any explanation.
"There was no reason," Mr Stavrakis told the Canberra Times. "They never say to us as to why."
Mirvac has refused to disclose why it wants the café out. It has declined to explain whether the decision has to do with rent or they want to put in a franchised outlet.
In a statement to the Canberra Times, Mirvac said.:
"Mirvac acknowledges the community response to the news of Sakeena's departure from the Cooleman Court centre.
"Both parties have undertaken to continue discussions over the negotiations of their lease arrangements and we are taking on board the wider response.
"As this is a business negotiation for both parties, we will not comment further on the nature of those commercial negotiations. However, we will be endeavouring to provide feedback to all inquiries when matters are resolved and it is appropriate."
The local community is up in arms over Mirvac’s decision.
Local businesses and community members have rallied behind the café with a change.org petition attracting more than 1500 signatories and locals are being urged to write to the local minister for Small Business Chris Bourke.
Comments on the petition would leave Mirvac in no doubt about how locals feel about it.
“Mirvac, come clean with the real reason for wanting to get rid of such a popular eatery. Respect the people of Weston Creek and tell us the truth,” says one comment.
by Leon Gettler, 14th June 2016
