A rare opportunity to acquire one of Melbourne’s most recognised and long-standing deli, café and gourmet food businesses, located in one of the city’s most affluent and tightly held inner-city suburbs.
This iconic hospitality business has been serving generations of loyal locals, professionals, families and food lovers for over 50 years. It is a genuine institution with deep local goodwill, strong brand recognition and a premium position in a highly sought-after village-style retail precinct.
After changing hands in 2021 following decades under the same family ownership, the current Vendors undertook a major transformation, investing over $600,000 into a stunning renovation and high-quality fit-out. The total initial investment into the business exceeded well over $1 million, creating a beautifully presented deli, café, provedore and gourmet food destination with not a cent to spend.
Now offered at a significantly reduced price to allow the Vendors to move on, this is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced operator to secure a blue-chip hospitality business with history, infrastructure, goodwill and serious upside.
WHY BUY THIS BUSINESS?
Iconic inner-city food business with 50+ years of trading history
Premium location in one of Melbourne’s most affluent suburbs
Positioned in a tightly held, high-profile village retail precinct
Over 1.5 Million Turnover
Stunning fit-out with over $600,000 spent on improvements
Total initial investment exceeded well over $1 million
Offered at a substantially reduced price
Strong local following and long-standing goodwill
Highly popular gourmet take-home meal range
Strong demand from locals, professionals and nearby workers
Liquor licence until 1:00am
Includes upstairs apartment as part of the lease
Additional income of $2,000 per month from one upstairs office room
Long lease with further option available
Seven-day trade with major scope to grow
Ideal for a chef-owner, deli operator, café operator, caterer, wine bar operator or hospitality group
This business offers a premium range of gourmet deli products, café items, coffee, specialty pantry goods, ready-made meals and highly sought-after take-home food. The take-home meal category is a major drawcard, attracting busy locals and nearby professionals seeking the quality and comfort of home-style meals without the preparation or hassle.
For a savvy operator, this area alone could be significantly expanded through weekly menus, corporate catering, online ordering, local delivery, family meal packs and subscription-style meal options.
The business was previously run completely under management, and the current Vendors do not come from a hospitality background. Despite this, it continues to trade well, highlighting the strength of the location, customer base and underlying demand.
For an experienced hands-on operator, the upside is immediate.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
Corporate catering to surrounding businesses and offices
Expanding the popular take-home meal range
Private functions, tastings and gourmet food events
Activating the 1:00am liquor licence
Introducing evening trade or a deli-by-day, wine-bar-by-night concept
Improving marketing, social media and customer database activity
Growing online ordering, pre-orders and local delivery
Increasing profitability through owner-operator involvement
LEASE DETAILS:
Long lease in place with further option
Rent: $3,038.21 + GST per week
Additional income: $2,000 per month from one upstairs office room
Premises include ground floor business plus upstairs apartment
TRADING HOURS:
Monday to Friday: 6:30am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 7:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
This is not just another café. It is a genuine Melbourne food institution with over 50 years of history, a premium fit-out, loyal customer base, liquor licence, upstairs apartment, additional income stream and enormous untapped potential.
With the right operator, this business could be taken to an entirely new level.
High-profile, tightly held opportunities like this are rarely offered to the market. For further information, please contact Grita Angelucci.
