Popular Aussie restaurant shuts down after 25 years: 'We had no choice'
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A long-standing favourite in the Australian dining scene has shocked its patrons by announcing its closure after decades of service.
What initially seemed like another typical business decision has quickly evolved into a larger conversation about the state of the industry and what drove the owners to make such a drastic choice.
The story behind the closure has sparked heated debates and left many wondering about the forces at play.
Food Star Sunshine, a popular all-you-can-eat buffet in Melbourne's west, announced it was closing after 25 years of business.
The owners shared their decision in a brief message posted to their website on 6 January, stating: 'Australia has become corrupted by a corrosive mix of nihilism and embraced a radical liberal ideology that celebrates the rejection of anything from the past that could stabilize society including any inheritance of previous forms of culture.'
'You just have to look at the abuse thrown towards our staff in the past few years to realize this, what is old is no longer deemed necessary and indeed something that must be replaced.'
'We had no choice but to close. We are now closed.'
Food Star Sunshine was known for its diverse selection of Western and Asian dishes, which attracted diners from all over Melbourne.
Social media users quickly reacted to the unexpected closure, with one Aussie writing: 'Look buddy, stop spreading your radical liberal ideology. That's not a cockroach in the cheesecake; it's just a little bit of nihilism.'
Food Star Sunshine, which earned a mixed rating of 3.2 stars on Google, had both loyal and critical customers.
One reviewer mentioned: 'Not a lot of food options, barely any food in the containers anyway, food is not that good. Sanitary is so bad I saw a plate with green spots which is probably soap. Waitress is nice though.'
Another shared: 'The food quality was abysmal, leaving a tasteless and unpalatable impression on my palate. Not only was the food lacking in flavor, but it also seemed to be of the lowest possible quality, reminiscent of cafeteria fare from decades past.'
A reply from the owner to a review stated: 'We don't cook for people with refined palates. That is not our main customer base, we are the go to destination for people with a more primal instinct of getting a full stomach after a game of rugby rather than some sort of sensory experience.'
There were also positive reviews, with one noting: 'Food was very yummy! And a decent variety. Price was good for what we got,' though the reviewer added, 'Atmosphere was a bit lacking though. Not all of the lights were on, and there was no, like, background music or anything.'
Another reviewer reminisced: 'Used to come here as a kid. Although it looks "old retro/out of date" I still think it's cool we have a few places that haven't changed, where you can look back and remember old times that still exist.'
Food Star's other Melbourne locations in Reservoir and Frankston had already closed, with Food Star Frankston serving its final meal in 2022 after 23 years.
As the dust settles on this unexpected closure, many are left wondering: What does the future hold for long-established businesses in a rapidly changing world?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below.
What initially seemed like another typical business decision has quickly evolved into a larger conversation about the state of the industry and what drove the owners to make such a drastic choice.
The story behind the closure has sparked heated debates and left many wondering about the forces at play.
Food Star Sunshine, a popular all-you-can-eat buffet in Melbourne's west, announced it was closing after 25 years of business.
The owners shared their decision in a brief message posted to their website on 6 January, stating: 'Australia has become corrupted by a corrosive mix of nihilism and embraced a radical liberal ideology that celebrates the rejection of anything from the past that could stabilize society including any inheritance of previous forms of culture.'
'You just have to look at the abuse thrown towards our staff in the past few years to realize this, what is old is no longer deemed necessary and indeed something that must be replaced.'
'We had no choice but to close. We are now closed.'
Food Star Sunshine was known for its diverse selection of Western and Asian dishes, which attracted diners from all over Melbourne.
Social media users quickly reacted to the unexpected closure, with one Aussie writing: 'Look buddy, stop spreading your radical liberal ideology. That's not a cockroach in the cheesecake; it's just a little bit of nihilism.'
Food Star Sunshine, which earned a mixed rating of 3.2 stars on Google, had both loyal and critical customers.
One reviewer mentioned: 'Not a lot of food options, barely any food in the containers anyway, food is not that good. Sanitary is so bad I saw a plate with green spots which is probably soap. Waitress is nice though.'
Another shared: 'The food quality was abysmal, leaving a tasteless and unpalatable impression on my palate. Not only was the food lacking in flavor, but it also seemed to be of the lowest possible quality, reminiscent of cafeteria fare from decades past.'
A reply from the owner to a review stated: 'We don't cook for people with refined palates. That is not our main customer base, we are the go to destination for people with a more primal instinct of getting a full stomach after a game of rugby rather than some sort of sensory experience.'
There were also positive reviews, with one noting: 'Food was very yummy! And a decent variety. Price was good for what we got,' though the reviewer added, 'Atmosphere was a bit lacking though. Not all of the lights were on, and there was no, like, background music or anything.'
Another reviewer reminisced: 'Used to come here as a kid. Although it looks "old retro/out of date" I still think it's cool we have a few places that haven't changed, where you can look back and remember old times that still exist.'
Food Star's other Melbourne locations in Reservoir and Frankston had already closed, with Food Star Frankston serving its final meal in 2022 after 23 years.
As the dust settles on this unexpected closure, many are left wondering: What does the future hold for long-established businesses in a rapidly changing world?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below.
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