State Library café faces closure after lease lost to corporate caterer
Image: Mr Tulk/Facebook
A celebrated Melbourne café is set to shut its doors after losing a lease renewal bid to a major hospitality group, with the decision drawing fierce community backlash and putting approximately 30 jobs at risk.
Mr Tulk Café will cease trading on May 13 after the library declined to extend its arrangement with the current operators. The incoming tenant is understood to be The Big Group, an established corporate catering and events company that already holds a presence in the library's Ian Potter Queen's Hall.
The café, which takes its name from the State Library's founding librarian Augustus Henry Tulk, has been operated by husband-and-wife team Michael and Maria Togias for close to a decade. The couple built the venue into a neighbourhood staple celebrated for its inclusive atmosphere and distinctly Melbourne character.
Michael Togias described the outcome as deeply personal. "It doesn't have fancy stainless steel, it's just Melbourne and has that Melbourne energy," he said. "This is one of the most visited libraries in the world and we're a big part of it. I feel sorry for our customers, there's so much diversity in here. We get mums with babies, students, overseas tourists….it's what we want Melbourne to be."
Togias raised concerns about the integrity of the tender process, alleging it was structured in a way that disadvantaged independent operators in favour of larger hospitality groups. "We had no chance," he said. "It cost us $50,000 for the tender process and we stood no chance." He also claimed earlier attempts to engage library management about lease continuity during periods of disruption — including major renovations and the pandemic — were met with silence, and accused officials of treating him with "complete disregard."
Notably, Togias retains ownership of the Mr Tulk business name, meaning the brand will not transfer to the incoming operator.
The closure has ignited a groundswell of public support, with a petition launched by journalist Jeff Waters attracting nearly 6,000 signatures. Among those lending their name to the campaign is acclaimed cricket writer Gideon Haigh, who was scathing in his assessment of the library's decision. "It's the cafe the State Library of Victoria has always needed," Haigh said. "No one who has the nearest grain of common sense would've made the decision (to terminate the lease)."
A spokesperson for the State Library of Victoria defended the process, noting that the original arrangement was structured as a "5+5+5 agreement" with "no provision for further extension beyond the final five year term." The spokesperson added that the library was therefore required to conduct a public tender in line with Victorian Government Purchasing Board Guidelines, describing it as "the required, best-practice approach in relation to a new, long-term lease agreement," and confirmed the space "will continue to operate as a cafe" under new management.
The Togias family and their team continue to explore any remaining options to save the business.
Jonathan Jackson, 15th April 2026
