A local couple who managed the Top of the Range Tea Rooms had their tenancy terminated last week after 14 years of service.
Luke Chapman, manager of the cafe situated next to the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, posted the news on Facebook and it received almost 125,000 impressions from the broader community. Chapman submitted a tender to Parks Victoria in 2024 to have the lease renewed, but was unsuccessful.
“We submitted a 100-page proposal outlining our ability to run the business, which was easy given I have done so since 2011, and my family for a few more years before that,” Chapman told the Express.
“In the proposal we talked about our future projects, and the importance of being a key visitor node within Macedon Regional Park.
“We had plans for a park discovery centre with educational components, and we had some preliminary plans to approach First Nations groups to establish a public amphitheatre space here at the summit.”
In a statement to the Express, Parks Victoria said they were excited to announce a new operator of the Mount Macedon Tearooms in the coming weeks.
“We expect they will commence operations later this year, after making a significant investment in the historic building and facilities,” the spokesperson said.
The cafe was known for its online snowcam and Chapman’s peacock, Kenneth, who roamed outside the tearooms.
Questions remain as to whether the Tearooms will be open for the Anzac Day Memorial service at the Cross, the state’s second biggest event on April 25.
More information to come.
