Venue owner appeals for local support

A PROMINENT White Hills cafe and restaurant owner has reached out to the wider community to ask them to get behind Bendigo’s acclaimed hospitality industry as operating costs continue to rise.

Wages, rent, insurance, utilities, even the price of cafe staples such as eggs and coffee are still on the increase.

Aaron Clay has operated Omari Bendigo at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens with Jareth Richardson since August 2023.

He said while his team is working hard to address the tough economic outlook from within, an increase in the price of some menu items is inevitable.

“Over the last year we’ve seen a dramatic increase in so many costs so margins are really, really tight,” he said.

“(For example), we received notice two weeks ago about an increase in (the price of) our eggs, and that’s specifically born from the outbreaks they’ve been having in chicken farms.

“Our coffee supplier has also had to put up their price and as a business we try to absorb as much of it as possible.

“It comes at a time when we just can’t absorb it any longer and we (have to) start passing these increases on.

“We’re not going to put (coffee) up by $4 a cup but we do have to put it up to some (extent).

“We need to educate consumers on that.”

Mr Clay suggested for any hospitality business right now it’s absolutely crucial not to be complacent.

“You really need to make a positive statement when you get a customer through the door,” he said.

“A lot of people want that experience, that engagement.

“Have we checked in on customers to ensure everything is up to standard for the guest? Because once the customer leaves, we can’t fix it for them.”

He said while he realises everyone is feeling the pinch right now, every extra bit of assistance helps.

“It’s the small things, popping in and saying hello, grabbing that coffee or a slice of cake from the fridge, so get out there and support your local hospitality venues, because if we don’t, they’re not going to be around.”