Mr Tulk Cafe owner Michael Togias says it is “heartbreaking” to lose the long-running State Library of Victoria venue after the State Library refused to renew its lease, forcing the CBD cafe to close on May 13 and putting dozens of jobs at risk.
The cafe, located on the La Trobe Street side of the State Library of Victoria, has operated for nearly a decade under Mr Togias and his wife Maria.
The couple now face closure after losing a public tender process, with the lease instead understood to have been awarded to The Big Group.
Mr Togias said the cafe “encapsulated the best parts of Melbourne” and claimed the tender process favoured larger operators.
“We had no chance,” he said. “It cost us $50,000 for the tender process and we stood no chance.”
He also accused library management of showing “complete disregard” and said earlier approaches about extending the lease during disruptions including renovations and the pandemic were not addressed.
“This is one of the most visited libraries in the world and we’re a big part of it,” Mr Togias said.
“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.”
A State Library spokesperson told The Herald Sun the cafe operated under a 15-year “5+5+5 agreement” with no option for further extension, requiring a public tender under Victorian Government Purchasing Board guidelines. The library said the site “will continue to operate as a cafe” under a new provider.
The decision has prompted public backlash, with an online petition attracting nearly 6,000 signatures, including support from journalist Jeff Waters and cricket writer Gideon Haigh, who called the move “ridiculous” and said it “rips the soul out the venue.”
Source: Herald Sun.
