Rafiki by the Sea co-owner Tobias Diamandopoulos says “hopeful” discussions are underway with Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club after the long-running Gold Coast cafe was abruptly locked out of its beachside premises.
The closure, which ended seven years of trading, sparked strong community backlash, with more than 1,000 people signing a petition calling for the lease decision to be overturned.
A separate protest event saw Moustache cafe in Nobby Beach give away more than $5,000 worth of coffee and drinks in support.
Diamandopoulos said the response from locals was overwhelming. “From early Sunday morning, locals turned up in numbers we never could have expected,” he said.
“What stood out wasn’t just the crowd, but the sense of community.”
He added the experience highlighted the broader role of hospitality, saying, “The day became much bigger than us and it was a deeply personal reminder that hospitality is about much more than serving coffee or food.”
Following the outcry, Diamandopoulos confirmed there had been renewed contact with the surf club. “We won’t go into the details, but we’re hopeful the conversations continue,” he said.
“We also believe the incredible support from the community has played a positive role, and we’re very thankful for that.”
He said discussions were ongoing and the business was “simply staying positive and taking things one day at a time.”
The Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club has been contacted for comment but did not respond.
Gold Coast City Council said it was not involved in the cafe’s management decisions, noting the surf club holds a community lease and that any operational changes may form part of its lease renewal process.
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin.
