Opening a restaurant is hard enough. For one Melbourne family, the first week brought a crime caught on camera. Restaurant owners across the city say stories like this are becoming far too common.
Melbourne restaurants say burglaries, theft and rising operating costs are putting more pressure on small businesses already struggling to keep prices affordable for customers.
What happened at Kenangan?
Giovanni Sutjiutama runs Kenangan, an Indonesian restaurant on Little Bourke Street in Melbourne’s central business district. The name means memories. The restaurant serves Indonesian dishes in the heart of the city, an area packed with eateries, offices and shoppers.
During its opening week, someone picked a lock at the back of the restaurant, he said. Security camera footage showed the intruder looking around before taking the entire till. The theft happened before the business had a chance to build up a regular customer base.
A family member confronted the man, who escaped with the money and threw rocks while running away, Sutjiutama said. The family member was not able to stop him.
He reported the burglary to police and later learned that neighboring businesses had experienced similar crimes, a pattern several Melbourne restaurants have reported. It was not immediately clear whether anyone had been arrested.
Why are Melbourne restaurants feeling the pressure?
Restaurant owners across the city say costs have climbed on several fronts, including rent, energy, wages, insurance and ingredients. Food costs in particular have risen sharply since the pandemic, according to industry groups.
Many Melbourne restaurants operate on thin profit margins, so a single theft or a jump in expenses can make a major difference.
Owners say they are trying to avoid passing those costs on to diners, many of whom are also feeling the pinch from higher living costs. Raising menu prices risks driving away regular customers, especially at casual eateries.
Is crime rising in Melbourne?
Victoria has seen rising rates of property crime in recent years, according to state crime data, with theft and burglary among the offenses that have increased. Retail businesses, including shops and restaurants, have reported more thefts in recent years.
Some owners of Melbourne restaurants and shops in the city center have called for more police patrols and stronger action against repeat offenders.
The Victorian government has tightened bail laws in response to concerns about crime, though critics argue the changes may not address the root causes. Police have also increased patrols in some parts of the city.
How are Melbourne restaurants protecting themselves?
Some owners have invested in security cameras, stronger locks and alarm systems, adding another expense to already tight budgets. Security upgrades can cost thousands of dollars, a significant sum for a new business.
Others are sharing information with nearby businesses about suspicious activity, helping neighbors stay alert. Business associations in the city have encouraged owners to report every incident to police so authorities can track patterns.
Insurance can cover some losses, but claims can raise premiums, leaving many Melbourne restaurants to absorb smaller losses themselves.
What does this mean for diners?
Melbourne is known for its food scene, and its laneways and central streets are home to restaurants serving dishes from around the world, including Indonesian, Vietnamese and Italian cuisine. The city has a large Indonesian community, and Indonesian food has grown in popularity across Australia.
If costs and crime keep rising, diners could see higher prices or fewer independent restaurants. Small restaurants owned by families are often the most vulnerable because they lack the resources of larger chains.
For families like Sutjiutama’s, keeping the doors open means balancing safety, costs and the hope that customers keep coming back to Melbourne restaurants.
