ONE of Mandurah’s longest-standing dining institutions has closed its doors after going into receivership.
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Café Pronto said goodbye to its final customers last week following more than two decades of serving the Peel region.
The multi-award winning restaurant has been a local standard with former Mandurah residents Kerry and Tracey Brown turning a run-down coffee shop into one of Mandurah’s most popular eateries.
The building which houses the restaurant dates back to the 1850s, with the structure a central hub for social and commercial life in the Peel from the early days.
Together the Browns spent more than $1.5million on major renovations which maintained the integrity of the historic building.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Mr Brown said.
“There’s not much more I can say.
“It’s a sad turn of events.”
Mr Brown said the restaurant had struggled since the Global Financial Crisis and failed sale attempts had left the business unable to maintain turnover.
“We had no warning about the receivership,” he said.
“It’s a sign of the times.”
Mr Brown said there was no hope he could resurrect the business with involved financial institutions “unwilling to wait” for overdue payments.
“We can’t overcome it,” he said.
“I wish it was different.”
Mr Brown extended “heartfelt thanks to all customers and staff over the years”.
Café Pronto was a favourite with regular diners and was often booked for functions and weddings.
It was recently registered on TenderLink as for sale with no price range specified.
