Pub baron Justin Hemmes wants to bring ‘a slice of Bondi to Byron Bay’ by opening up a branch of his popular Italian restaurant Totti’s
Hospitality mogul Justin Hemmes recently purchased the iconic Byron Bay dive bar Cheeky Monkey’s for $13.5million.
And the Sydney businessman, 48, is rumoured to already have plans for the venue.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Justin wants to bring ‘a slice of Bondi to Byron Bay’ by opening up a branch of his popular Italian restaurant Totti’s.
New establishment? Pub baron Justin Hemmes (pictured) wants to bring ‘a slice of Bondi to Byron’ by opening up a branch of his popular Italian restaurant Totti’s
The popular establishment is expected to be launched by 2022.
‘We are exploring a number of restaurant concepts for the Jonson Street property. Plans will be announced in due course,’a Merivale spokesperson told the publication.
Justin bought the legendary dive bar for at least $13.5million in May.
Iconic venue: According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Justin wants to open Italian restaurant Totti’s in Byron Bay. Pictured Totti’s restaurant in Bondi (pictured)
He told The Daily Telegraph: ‘I’ve been going to Byron since I was 10 years old, so it has always been a place close to my heart. I can’t wait to open our first venue on the North Coast and spend more time in the area. There’s simply no place like it.’
Cheeky Monkey’s closed its doors on March 23 last year due to the Covid pandemic and has not been open since. Merivale took ownership of the pub on May 28.
The restaurant and bar, which also houses backpacker accommodation, is situated on Byron’s popular Jonson Street.
Hot spot! Justin bought legendary dive bar Cheeky Monkey’s for at least $13.5million in May
Justin’s family fortune is worth about $1.06billion.
His property portfolio includes the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills, the Queen Victoria Hotel in Enmore, and Bondi’s Royal Hotel.
Justin also recently bought his ex-partner Kate Fowler a $7.5million mansion Dover Heights, which is one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs.
Fortune: Justin’s family empire is believed to be worth about $1.06billion