Stalactites (restaurant)

Stalactites is a Greek-Australian restaurant in Melbourne, Australia.[1][2][3]

Stalactites
Restaurant information
Established1978
Owner(s)Konstantinos Tsoutouras's descendants
Previous owner(s)Konstantinos Tsoutouras
CityMelbourne
Websitehttp://www.stalactites.com.au/

It is located on Lonsdale street in the Melbourne's CBD's Greek quarter.[4][5]

The restaurant was founded in 1978 by Konstantinos Tsoutouras, also known as Barba Kostas.[2] He had previously opened other chain restaurants and fish and chips stores, before opening Stalactites. It initially opened as a 24-hour restaurant, and became a part of Melbourne's nightlife.[2] Today, it is owned and operated by the descendants of its founder.[6]

It has been described as 'an institution in Melbourne's culinary scene' and is known for being frequented by celebrities including Greek tennis players.,

Stalactites was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Hella Good

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Logo of souvlaki brand owned by Stalactites established in 2017, 'Hella Good'

In 2017, the owners of Stalactites created a fast-food souvlaki take-away chain named 'Hella Good', neighbouring the restaurant. In 2020 this brand absorbed another souvlaki brand, Jimmy Grants, which had put into liquidation after financial troubles experienced by its founder George Calombaris.[8][9][10]

References

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  1. ^ Psomiadis, Giorgos (2023-04-27). "'A home away from home': Family story behind Melbourne's iconic Stalactites restaurant". Greek Herald. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  2. ^ a b c "Vale Barba Kostas, the founder of the iconic Stalactites restaurant passes away". NEOS KOSMOS. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  3. ^ "Family-owned Greek restaurant Stalactites awarded Lord Mayor's Commendation". NEOS KOSMOS. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  4. ^ "Lonsdale Street - Greek Precinct". The Greek Quarter. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  5. ^ "Greek Precinct - What's On Melbourne". whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au. 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  6. ^ "Vale Barba Kostas, the founder of the iconic Stalactites restaurant passes away". NEOS KOSMOS. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  7. ^ "How the pandemic has changed the multicultural CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne". SBS News. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  8. ^ Cloros, Annabelle (2020-03-09). "2 Jimmy Grants replaced with Hella Good". hospitality | Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  9. ^ Cody, Tom Cowie, Gemima (2020-02-20). "Jimmy Grants shops sold as bank gets cents on the dollar in Calombaris fire sale". The Age. Retrieved 2023-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Whalley, Jeff (5 March 2020). "Stalactites' message to Jimmy Grants staff: We want you". Herald Sun.
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