Bridge closure the final straw as acclaimed East Fremantle restaurant closes its doors
This isn’t goodbye, it’s “see you later”.
This is what Young George owners Melissa Palinkas and Susan Whelan are saying as they prepare to close the doors of their decade-long East Fremantle venture on April 2.
days later They earned their second star in the WA Good Food Guide awards – and after good food critic Max Veenhuyzen He tipped his hat to the restaurant during his review over the weekend. – the duo announced on social media that Young George had reached the end of his journey after an “incredibly difficult few years.”
Whelan told this piece that there was no specific moment that forced the couple’s hand, but the cost of living crisis and the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge were the final straw.
“Because our business is so cyclical, summer is not the best time for us, other than December, because people in Freo want to be by the sea or have a barbecue… but we always thrive in the winter,” Whelan said.
“So we have this cycle, and it’s been the same for almost 10 years.
“But this is the quietest March I’ve ever seen. For example, last week we had a week’s worth of trade and we had two for lunches.” [sales].”
Palinkas said the decision was almost spontaneous.
“When it comes down to hit after hit, you just have to make the call,” he said.
“We had to throw up our hands and say, ‘Look, we can’t go on like this.'”
Good memories and a full trophy cabinet
Young George accumulated a host of accolades and even more fond memories during his 11 years on George Street.
“I can say this [one of my favourite memories] That was when we first got our first chef hat in 2020,” Palinkas said.
“We tried and tried and tried to get one.
“It was probably a huge accomplishment to get that award. And Maggie Beer was there too…so we were a little surprised.”
Palinkas also remembers the moment two years after opening when he realized the business was a success.
“I remember one night when I was standing at the walkway looking at this place, it was all packed. I just thought, ‘What have we created here? This is crazy,'” he said.
Palinkas won the WA Good Food Guide’s Chef of the Year award in 2019 and was awarded Mentor of the Year in 2020.
“We received our second WA Good Food Guide hat on Saturday. We were blown away that 10 years later people still understand what we do,” he said.
‘George Street needs some love’
Young George was on stage throughout everything, from COVID-19 to the cancellation of the George Street Festival.
“The street itself has seen a lot of change over the last 10 years,” Whelan said.
“It’s been up and down and we’ve seen businesses open and close. George Street needs some love, some TLC.
“Nothing is the same as before. It used to be very crowded, there was a really great atmosphere on the street.”
Whelan said the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge had minimized the flow of foot traffic into East Fremantle.
“The other day the volatile message board said, ‘Avoid the area.’ They are literally telling people not to come here,” he said.
Other businesses on George Street They also complained about the difficulties they have faced since the closure of the bridge.
‘See you later’
The decision to close may have only lasted two weeks, but the couple wanted their loyal customers to know that they would be missed the most.
“I’m going to miss our regular locals. I’m really going to miss not having that connection with customers anymore,” Palinkas said.
“I think the gift of this place is that we made some great friends who were just customers and then stayed friends for life. And as a chef, this place has given me everything.”
But Palinkas and Whelan don’t plan to leave WA’s food industry forever.
“This is definitely not goodbye. There are so many things I want to do,” Palinkas said.
“I’m saying goodbye to George Street for now, but I definitely have some work to do.
“I went to Mexico for a while, maybe something around a Mexican theme.”
Young George will be open until April 2.
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