In a blow to Melbourne cafe culture, landmark joint Don Camillo has been forced to close as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns.
As per the Herald Sun, the 1950s institution shut its doors for the final time, 66 years after first opening. Fight game figure Sam Greco, the cafe’s owner, shared his devastation at the decision to close the West Melbourne favourite.
“Without a word of a life, it was the hardest decision and thing to do to date,” he revealed. “I must admit, I did shed tears as this was a place that I’d been coming to for the last 30 years and owned it for the 15 years of that time.
It was such a unique place. A place where pretty much you could see or meet anyone from any walk of life. It was a place to be seen but most importantly a place where people called home.”
While admitting business was hard enough even before the uncertainty of the pandemic, Greco also expressed his fear that other businesses will meet a similar end. “It’s very sad and heartbreaking watching people and businesses crumble under an unimaginable pandemic,” he said.
“We have been governed by state premiers and health orders and unfortunately neither have really helped retain our businesses.”
Greco said the place’s regular customers had reacted with severe disappointment to the news. “Devastated to say the least. I had long time customers coming in literally crying. Unfortunately it has taken a little bit of everyone’s soul since the closing.”
After opening in 1955 as Italians increasingly immigrated to Australia, Don Camillo soon became a meeting place for notable figures and colourful characters. There’s even debate as to whether the cafe had Melbourne’s first coffee espresso machine.
Here’s hoping Melbourne’s hospitality scene doesn’t lose many more treasured spots like Don Camillo.
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