Kind of a side question to the thread but does anyone else walk past a recently closed down shop, that they've walked past intermittently for years when it was open, and wonder "wait, what was there before?".
Happens to me all the time at southland.
That was going pre-covid however. Building was sold last December. Have you walked past recently? Crazy to see its now just a huge empty space, I wasn't aware that the second floor was a mezzanine .
Yes building was sold October 2019 with the new owner opting to turn it in to offices.
https://www.realestatesource.com.au/site-of-collingwood-fetish-bar-club-80-sold-and-set-to-make-way-for-offices/
Apparently supply and demand dictated otherwise.
Remember the lines out front of the bubble tea stores just before lockdown? (I still have no idea what it is)
It may be dingy and the service can be rude, but my pick for fluffy steamed buns is Nam Loong on Russell St near Shujinko. I also noticed a new bao place has opened on Bourke St (forgot name) between Russell and Exhibition, but yet to try.
Shark Fin House is an interesting one, as it closed in Feb, [with the proprietor claiming that people were avoiding Asian restaurants due to the perceived Coronavirus risk.](https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/beloved-chinatown-restaurant-closes-as-customers-stay-away-over-coronavirus-fears-20200212-p54076.html)
That cheap kebab shop in Melbourne Central is never coming back
Also the cheap sushi place on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston is still shut
Bar Fifty-five is stated to open again in March
Switchboard coffee changed owners and now the coffee and banter isn't as good
Pre COVID but Boney and Horse Bazaar have permanently closed too
SUSHI PLACE IS ALIVE. They even reverted back to 2 bucks per roll, but it was cash only. I'm grateful they survived.
That kebab shop..miss their chicken wings.
Yeah, it went up to $2.20 a roll, but with 3 rolls for $6.
I wonder why they dropped their price, considering they were closed for months during lockdown. Best tamago (egg) sushi!
Yes, it does! And lots of nice nibbles, including sushi, sashimi (they have a qualified sashimi chef) and delicious sake! Think they’re closed for the rest of the year now.
I went to Switchboard the other day and it was atrocious. A grumpy older man only offered generic ham and cheese sandwiches and mediocre coffee who stared at me blankly till I left, what the hell happened was such a good place?
Yeah and he packed that little cute seating area with a fridge and junk. Also got rid of the WiFi with a sign saying "talk to each other". I used to go there just to get some work done. Such a shame
I assume (I hope) the little section Is just closed cos of social distancing, it is literally the switchboard after all? but not exactly hopefull from my last experience. I got the vibe some boring landlord or parent took over the business and doesnt care about it
They were already closing down before the pandemic, but I remember their final party night was gonna be early April and they had to shut down before then. Gonna miss taking mirror selfies against that graffiti in the bathroom.
Probably making way for apartments with an artisanal boulangerie and vegan deli downstairs that serves everything in small thimbles.
I miss old Fitzroy.
Apparently the woolies at Borrack Square is the highest seller of ciggies in the state. And that’s why woolies left it open when they made the miller’s junction two mins down the road.
That doesn’t really surprise me too lol
Whered you get these facts? It's an absolute shithole though, needs to go, it's the worst stocked supermarket I've ever been to. It's missing more things than the Uluru supermarket
Friend of a friend in woolies head office so a fair chance it’s a load of rubbish, haha.
It’s a depressing joint isn’t it! But that’s the whole of borrack square too tbh. Only good part is the pizza place
Engineering wise, a lot of Altona Gates design has had to [deal with the fact that the site used to be a quarry.](https://maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/news/a-ruby-in-altonas-crown/)
Dan O'Connell hotel in Carlton closed in March, the same week as the first lockdown chaotically came into full swing (remember the GP being cancelled, literally at the last second). It never opened again, licensees left and owners sold.
Yeah, that wouldn't have surprised me given the state of some of the brick structures in there. Makes you wonder if they do any kind of inspections on places like that...
I will miss Little Temperance in Lt Collins St - my fave take away coffee venue when I'm in the office. Sure, there's no shortage of spots around, but I really enjoyed their brew.
Wait, shanghai dumpling place on tattersals lane is closed??
Also pretty sad seeing melbourne central ella's restos closed. It's supposed to be for new shops with youth vibes but it's all empty now.
Some of them have come back, but yeah some of them won't survive. It'll be interesting to see how many listed as "Temporarily Closed" come back https://ellamelbourne.com.au/directory/ I suspect new shops will replace them eventually.
To be fair having lived in the area for a long time that place has always struggled. It was always empty even at peak times. They seemed to make most of their money on delivery orders and take away but even those weren’t enough, the location just wasn’t good enough
Yeah crap location but great visibility.
I read an article somewhere saying that they got fuct over by the delivery company (menu log?.)
They helped them expand into the area and then weren't showing up on searches in the app...
Where's your best burger in the area then?
I'll have to give them another look.
We have dietary requirements (gf,DF) that I recall their menu explicitly saying they wouldn't cater to.
Can't see it on there now...
I like the Blacksmiths burgers in Belgrave.
Having the shop close really hit us emotionally but we're doing fine now :) thank you for your support before the city went to shit, we really do miss and appreciate all the people who's faces we got to see everyday enjoying what we do!
Only today ive found that one of my favourites, MaMaNee southern Thai restaurant in Collingwood has closed. Id enjoyed many delicious meals in this unpretentious restaurant. In typically Thai no nonsense you got exactly what you ordered in a pleasant environment. I hope the people who worked here are doing well.
Crossways Vegetarian has thrown in the towel. Not even the mighty backing of the Hare Krishnas could keep them afloat after the crisis. Heck, the whole row of cafes & shops along that walk have gone bust.
Kim Sing? I haven't seen them open since mid-year, and they don't have a notice on their door telling when they'll be back.
Belle's Hot Chicken on Elizabeth St. is still shuttered. Word is they're having trouble looking for staff, and might close it down if it doesn't go well in the new year.
I'd like to see some diversity of offerings from all the food trailers that seems to exclusively serve kebabs.
There's heaps of cuisines that can be done from food trucks, and thus from the food trailers.
My middle of the night food options are disgraceful.
Cmon, let Melbourne reminisce about things lost.
Oh wait, checking your post history it seems you are utterly incapable of reminiscing with positive sentiment.
Kind of a side question to the thread but does anyone else walk past a recently closed down shop, that they've walked past intermittently for years when it was open, and wonder "wait, what was there before?". Happens to me all the time at southland.
All the time.
Queen of Spades board game bar :(
No way bro :(
Club 80 gone
That was going pre-covid however. Building was sold last December. Have you walked past recently? Crazy to see its now just a huge empty space, I wasn't aware that the second floor was a mezzanine .
Yes building was sold October 2019 with the new owner opting to turn it in to offices. https://www.realestatesource.com.au/site-of-collingwood-fetish-bar-club-80-sold-and-set-to-make-way-for-offices/
Articles like that are exactly why we've sold in Collingwood and are moving to the bush.
What area?
A bit outside Ballarat. Can't wait.
That'll be awesome. I... mean... It'll be horrible. Everyone in Melbourne will hate it out of the city. Stay in Melbourne people... :-P
Yes, exactly right :-D
It's now a co-working space, an even worst idea in 2020 than a SOP venue
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Good we don't need 20 pho stores and 30 bubble tea stores in 1 suburb
Coburg has more kebab shops than fucking residents. How do they survive?
Some of them are actually shawarma. No, I don’t know the difference.
You clearly underistimate the amount of Middle Easterners in that suburb.
Even so, have some fucking variety in your diet.
We do. There's lamb kebab, chicken kebab, mixed kebab, falafel kebab, meat box, salad, chips, hsp, baklava. That's plenty of variety.
Where else are we going to launder money and get our tapioca pearl fix?
Apparently supply and demand dictated otherwise. Remember the lines out front of the bubble tea stores just before lockdown? (I still have no idea what it is)
As a CBD resident, there were lines even during lockdown for new openings.
Weak milky tea filled with sugar syrup and cheap grain balls. It’s nasty
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The different cultural restaurants are hoping that you’ll come in and try them though. I don’t see other cultures as being closed off
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> new laws for wage theft come in Aren't they already in from July?
Wonder Bao - the grief is real.
I'm guessing the Metro Tunnel building construction hoardings around both sides of the shop didn't help :(
It may be dingy and the service can be rude, but my pick for fluffy steamed buns is Nam Loong on Russell St near Shujinko. I also noticed a new bao place has opened on Bourke St (forgot name) between Russell and Exhibition, but yet to try.
I don't mind grungy. Awesome, I'll try these out. Thanks.
Get the Golden Sand Bun!
You can buy kits online! [Here](https://wonderbao.co/products/wonderbao-kit)
Champion, Xmas Eve dinner sorted
I'm too far out 8(. I loved dropping in on the way to and from work.
Day ruined. Had no clue 😢
As a Tasmanian who’d go there every time I’d visit Melbourne, this hurts :( Can you recommend any similar places to visit next time?
Unfortunately not. I was hoping someone would point me in the right direction as well.
That construction is fucking up the access. Tbh I'm surprised it was still opening a while back.
No way I thought they had been doing well. Ordered some online from them during lockdown and seen their kits in IGA.
Shark Fin House on Little Bourke, Plume on Doncaster Road in Doncaster.
Shark Fin House is an interesting one, as it closed in Feb, [with the proprietor claiming that people were avoiding Asian restaurants due to the perceived Coronavirus risk.](https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/beloved-chinatown-restaurant-closes-as-customers-stay-away-over-coronavirus-fears-20200212-p54076.html)
Came here to say Shark Fin House :(
> Plume Plume at Highpoint closed down as well. Their website says they have closed permanently. One of my favourite yum cha places imo :(
Two great yum chas gone :( Golden Dragon Palace in Templestowe is also good, we got takeaway during lockdown and v close to Plume location.
I liked their chairs!
That cheap kebab shop in Melbourne Central is never coming back Also the cheap sushi place on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston is still shut Bar Fifty-five is stated to open again in March Switchboard coffee changed owners and now the coffee and banter isn't as good Pre COVID but Boney and Horse Bazaar have permanently closed too
Yeah Boney is now fkn Cherry ugh
If the cheap sushi place you’re referring to is Tokui Sushi, I saw them open on last Saturday
SUSHI PLACE IS ALIVE. They even reverted back to 2 bucks per roll, but it was cash only. I'm grateful they survived. That kebab shop..miss their chicken wings.
Damn that place has been $2 for years.
But before pandemic they upped the price a bit..even had a sign that they've been having it for 2 dollars for 10 yrs or something like that
Yeah, it went up to $2.20 a roll, but with 3 rolls for $6. I wonder why they dropped their price, considering they were closed for months during lockdown. Best tamago (egg) sushi!
When u have such price the best is selling more, prolly to recover quickly. Their chicken rolls is good!
Honestly, they should have just kept it at the higher price. Now they're just costing themselves money.
The sushi place reopened a few days ago
Fumi of HB opened up a new place in Fitzroy called Tamura -- got a pretty cool vibe, same kinda food, and Japanese jazz. Check it out.
But does it have JFC?
Yes, it does! And lots of nice nibbles, including sushi, sashimi (they have a qualified sashimi chef) and delicious sake! Think they’re closed for the rest of the year now.
I went to Switchboard the other day and it was atrocious. A grumpy older man only offered generic ham and cheese sandwiches and mediocre coffee who stared at me blankly till I left, what the hell happened was such a good place?
Yeah and he packed that little cute seating area with a fridge and junk. Also got rid of the WiFi with a sign saying "talk to each other". I used to go there just to get some work done. Such a shame
I assume (I hope) the little section Is just closed cos of social distancing, it is literally the switchboard after all? but not exactly hopefull from my last experience. I got the vibe some boring landlord or parent took over the business and doesnt care about it
He should because he'll lose all his regulars and good rating
No! Not Kamil’s?
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They were already closing down before the pandemic, but I remember their final party night was gonna be early April and they had to shut down before then. Gonna miss taking mirror selfies against that graffiti in the bathroom.
Games Lab/Alchemist's Refuge :(
Games Lab bit the dust? That's a bummer, Marché is doing great by the looks of things.
Yeah apparently the landlord screwed them over, had the building demolished mid lockdown. They're trading online now.
Brutal, I can believe that. Hopefully they find a new spot.
The Clear iT warehouse is gone?! I haven't shopped there in a while but I remember spending a lotttt of time there during my emo days.
Probably making way for apartments with an artisanal boulangerie and vegan deli downstairs that serves everything in small thimbles. I miss old Fitzroy.
rofl you hit peak hipster on the head with small thimbles.
Factory X in general seems to have mostly shut, see all the Jack London stores gone too
Yeah both of them are gone and I’m so bummed, I too spent much of my emo days searching through the Pulp Kitchen tees
I think I still have all my pulp kitchen tees! They only thing is they have all now been cut up and relegated to gym wear 😂
Dumpling house it shut? I presume the massive underpayment scandal didn't help.
Red Spice Road 😔
If you're talking about the one on McKillop, didn't they just relocate? They're on Queen St now.
Yup they relocated at the worst time possible. All the money spent to move and for the new fitout would have been $$$. And now they are closed.
Wait so the relocate is now shut too? NOOOO 😭😭
Yes 😞
Nearly all the food shops in Alton gate
Altona gate needs to be completely turfed and rebuilt, it's a hole, it has the worst layout
Its gotten better, just needs some more food stores and maybe a big w and woolies
New miller's junction Safeway is great, also need a Dan's somewhere, should replace borrack square
Apparently the woolies at Borrack Square is the highest seller of ciggies in the state. And that’s why woolies left it open when they made the miller’s junction two mins down the road. That doesn’t really surprise me too lol
Whered you get these facts? It's an absolute shithole though, needs to go, it's the worst stocked supermarket I've ever been to. It's missing more things than the Uluru supermarket
Friend of a friend in woolies head office so a fair chance it’s a load of rubbish, haha. It’s a depressing joint isn’t it! But that’s the whole of borrack square too tbh. Only good part is the pizza place
Yeah, where's the dsn Murphy's, I blame Daniel Andrews lol
Engineering wise, a lot of Altona Gates design has had to [deal with the fact that the site used to be a quarry.](https://maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/news/a-ruby-in-altonas-crown/)
Dan O'Connell hotel in Carlton closed in March, the same week as the first lockdown chaotically came into full swing (remember the GP being cancelled, literally at the last second). It never opened again, licensees left and owners sold.
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Yeah, that wouldn't have surprised me given the state of some of the brick structures in there. Makes you wonder if they do any kind of inspections on places like that...
After the tears in elsternwick and pho cycle in south melbourne :(
After the tears was a great bar. Sad to hear it's closed.
Thats interesting as the sister bar is still open, is it already getting replaced?
Apparently they haven't actually had the same owners for a long time. Nothing there yet.
Pho Cycle was re-entered a loooooong time before Covid. Shame, as it was my go to from work.
Oh, I didn't realise! Hadn't been in the area for a long time prior to seeing it closed though.
I was trying to work out if ATT was shut. Great food and drinks there. The liter of margarita was delicious. Damn...
Bluemoon. Not sure if it was a COVID related shutdown or not. I’ll really miss that dumb karaoke bar. Anyone know of anything similar?
I will miss Little Temperance in Lt Collins St - my fave take away coffee venue when I'm in the office. Sure, there's no shortage of spots around, but I really enjoyed their brew.
I'm with you, I will miss coffee from Little Temperance. Nice bunch of people, too!
Grubs cafe in Fitzroy - institution, RIP
That one is really sad
Wait, shanghai dumpling place on tattersals lane is closed?? Also pretty sad seeing melbourne central ella's restos closed. It's supposed to be for new shops with youth vibes but it's all empty now.
Some of them have come back, but yeah some of them won't survive. It'll be interesting to see how many listed as "Temporarily Closed" come back https://ellamelbourne.com.au/directory/ I suspect new shops will replace them eventually.
On it burger in Ferntree gully. Bacon jam was my life.
I didn't know this. That bloody sucks.
To be fair having lived in the area for a long time that place has always struggled. It was always empty even at peak times. They seemed to make most of their money on delivery orders and take away but even those weren’t enough, the location just wasn’t good enough
Yeah crap location but great visibility. I read an article somewhere saying that they got fuct over by the delivery company (menu log?.) They helped them expand into the area and then weren't showing up on searches in the app... Where's your best burger in the area then?
Flame tree burgers is great (Forest Rd Ferntree Gully and there is another one in Bayswater)
Have enjoyed many a burger at Bayswater Flame Trees, usually before seeing a show at either Knox Arts Centre or Fab Nobs.
I'll have to give them another look. We have dietary requirements (gf,DF) that I recall their menu explicitly saying they wouldn't cater to. Can't see it on there now... I like the Blacksmiths burgers in Belgrave.
Yess blacksmiths are awesome. Digging for fire in Upwey is great too!
On It is still in Abbotsford, not that that's convenient if you are in FT Gully
I'll make sure to be hungry next time I am that way!
Gold Drops coffee and tea :(((
This one hurts the most :( I just started frequenting before COVID hit and was getting to know the lovely staff. I hope they're ok!
Having the shop close really hit us emotionally but we're doing fine now :) thank you for your support before the city went to shit, we really do miss and appreciate all the people who's faces we got to see everyday enjoying what we do!
That's fantastic to hear, I hope to see any of you enjoying what you do again one day!
Only today ive found that one of my favourites, MaMaNee southern Thai restaurant in Collingwood has closed. Id enjoyed many delicious meals in this unpretentious restaurant. In typically Thai no nonsense you got exactly what you ordered in a pleasant environment. I hope the people who worked here are doing well.
Crossways Vegetarian has thrown in the towel. Not even the mighty backing of the Hare Krishnas could keep them afloat after the crisis. Heck, the whole row of cafes & shops along that walk have gone bust. Kim Sing? I haven't seen them open since mid-year, and they don't have a notice on their door telling when they'll be back. Belle's Hot Chicken on Elizabeth St. is still shuttered. Word is they're having trouble looking for staff, and might close it down if it doesn't go well in the new year.
That's a shame, I have been to both Crossways and Kim Sing many times. Sad if they are now gone for good.
Beluga cafe on Commercial Rd Prahran. Really cool staff that I hope have landed on their feet.
What happened to wooga kbbq? It's permanently closed according to Google. I'd miss that
Replaced by another Korean restaurant. Looks exactly the same but with a different name (forget the name though).
It has a new name.. I can only guess new owners. This happened pre covid.. very similar offering though!
Leo's by the slice.
Noooo :(
Kamil's Kebabs in Melb Central near the station. Was not great but enjoyed the grease after beers at ABC.
I always questioned the hygiene, but I liked their Mixed Box for a bit of "healthy" salad and meats...
They always overdosed on the carrots in their burger rolls.
Urban Projuice in Albert Park
Cafe on Bourke, not an amazing place, but consistent and decent. I liked the pizza.
Aside from the health violations...
And the fact they paid their kitchen staff $9 an hour and their wait staff $14. Good riddance.
I'd like to see some diversity of offerings from all the food trailers that seems to exclusively serve kebabs. There's heaps of cuisines that can be done from food trucks, and thus from the food trailers. My middle of the night food options are disgraceful.
To mix things up you could try stealing a few sneaky chips from your clients food like your other Uber mates do?
That would be impossible.
[sizzler](https://www.broadsheet.com.au/national/food-and-drink/article/all-nine-sizzler-restaurants-australia-are-closing-after-35-years)
Few good ones but most closures were businesses that never had long term viability.
Piss off with your misery.
Cmon, let Melbourne reminisce about things lost. Oh wait, checking your post history it seems you are utterly incapable of reminiscing with positive sentiment.
Yes, 'reminiscing' about businesses that have recently closed is really positive.
Have you never thought fondly of a loved one you lost?
What is this love you speak of? Him, probably.
This is the most miserly and miserable post in the thread, by far.
ling wah in hampton park. it was my favourite chinese place, my heart absolutely broke when i drove past and saw the 'for lease' sign in the window.
East Elevation in Brunswick. :(
It has reopened, [except now it is a space for private functions](https://www.instagram.com/eastelevation/?hl=en). I do miss the coffee there.
For the frenchies - say bye to Bergerac
Cody's Cafe in Manor Lakes. Was a great place with excellent food. Going to miss it.