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Canberra Today 17°/20° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Iconic city cafe closed as landlord moves in

tosolinis closed
Closed and empty… the iconic Tosolini’s cafe this morning.
TOSOLINI’S, the landmark meeting place at Bailey’s Corner for more than 25 years, has been closed by its landlords, Phum Pty Limited, who have taken possession of the premises. 

Mail lies uncollected at Tosolini's door.
Mail lies uncollected at Tosolini’s door.
The iconic Italian cafe, owned by the ebullient Carlo Tosolini, closed two days before Easter for “plumbing maintenance” and its doors have remained locked ever since, despite “Happy Easter” notes on the window.

This morning they had been replaced by notices from the landlord’s lawyer saying: “The lessor intends to exercise its right to re-enter the premises on the 1st day of April 2015 following expiry of the time specified in the Notice of Termination served on the Lessee on 27 February 2015 to contest or agree to this termination.

“And take notice that the lessor has re-entered and taken possession of the premises.”

Partly covered food and confectionary can be seen through the window and mail sits uncollected on the floor.

The cafe was looking tired and Carlo Tosolini had plans to revitalise the location.

Yesterday he told “CityNews” lease negotiations had stalled over the landlord’s reluctance to not include a “no-demolition clause” beyond six months’ notice in the event or redevelopment. He described the situation as “untenable”.

Landlord spokesman Harry Notaras firmly denied that was the case. He said Phum was owed tens of thousands of dollars in rent arrears.

 

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