Smart Landlords Are Making Bank with This One Simple Food Retail Strategy

I was in Cremorne recently and couldn’t help but notice the lively lunchtime crowds flocking to some of Melbourne’s most exciting new food concepts. What’s particularly striking is that a number of these innovative venues have local roots—built by entrepreneurial owners who started their journeys in Richmond.

Take Hector’s Bakery, for example. Founded by Dom Wilton, who launched the original Hector’s Deli in Richmond’s backstreets in 2017, this concept grew from a simple neighbourhood sandwich shop into a cult favourite. Their new bakery in Richmond not only supplies all Hector’s locations but also introduces a sleek, Nordic-industrial space where the preparation of their range takes centre stage.

Similarly, Suupaa in Cremorne is the latest venture from the team behind Richmond’s beloved Japanese restaurant Future Future. Suupaa blends Tokyo’s konbini (convenience store) culture with sleek, design-forward dining and retail, offering quick, snackable meals that perfectly suit Melbourne’s fast-paced, creative workforce, and capitalising on the current food trend for all things Japanese.

Cremorne’s young, highly educated, and creative demographic—many working in nearby digital startups and design firms—embraces these fresh, experiential food concepts that combine convenience, quality, and culture. This synergy between local entrepreneurial spirit and community tastes is what drives the precinct’s vibrant food scene.

For retail landlords, Cremorne and Richmond offer a powerful lesson: supporting flexible, hybrid food and lifestyle spaces that nurture local talent and reflect the community’s evolving needs is key to attracting tenants who resonate deeply with their customers. Investing in adaptable venues with multiple sales drivers and a creative design vibe will future-proof retail assets in Melbourne’s dynamic food landscape.

If you’re involved in food retail real estate, keep an eye on these local success stories—they’re shaping the future of dining in Melbourne.

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