Courier Mail, Thursday 17 September 2020
Chris Herde
Two new restaurants expect to be kicking plenty of goals next month when they open their doors across the road from the Gabba — just in time for the AFL Grand Final.
LaStazione Pizza Bar Restaurant’s Keanu Bromley and Tiger Zhang from Sichuan Tiger on the ground floor lane way of Trafalgar Lane.
TWO restaurants will open their doors next month in time for a surge of patrons geared up for the AFL Grand Final.
The Trafalgar Lane apartment tower on Stanley St has secured LaStazione Pizza Bar Restaurant and Sichuan Tiger on the ground floor — just a drop kick way from the Gabba which will host most of the AFL finals series and the grand final on October 24.
The prospect of thousands of hungry fans in the area and being within one of Queensland’s most well-loved lifestyle hubs were strong draw cards for both restaurants.
The Gabba’s sustained activity during the 2020 AFL season as southern states still grapple with higher COVID-19 case numbers and lockdown measures, further buoyed confidence in the Pellicano-developed Trafalgar Lane.
Pellicano managing director Nando Pellicano believes the two new tenancies were an early sign of renewed confidence in the hospitality sector.
“These two companies, as well as many other businesses we work with, are focusing on their next move, and how they can take the next step forward, following a very challenging year in 2020,” he said.
“Woolloongabba is seen as a safe investment for companies, as the sustained influx of AFL fans heading to the Gabba bolsters foot traffic and sales for nearby local businesses, such as those within Trafalgar Lane.”
The restaurants will create about 20 full-time, part-time and casual jobs.
LaStazione Pizza Bar Restaurant will move into a 140sqm space, 20sqm of which is outdoor, while Sichuan Tiger will set up shop in a 161sqm area, with the operators signing for three and five years respectively.
The team behind LaStazione have been operating its first restaurant in Milton, a stone’s throw from Suncorp Stadium, since 2017. Sichuan Tiger is also opening its second venue following success at its maiden eatery in Everton Park.