Metropolis Caffe under new ownership
When Hamilton’s Metropolis Caffe came up for sale it was a sign for new owners Lu-anne Hetet and Ganesh Periyasany.
The opportunity to purchase the Victoria St establishment arose after previous owner Renjith Rajagopal found himself facing liquidation.
Business partners Hetet and Periyasany met with Rajagopal on October 28 to discuss buying the eatery. That same day, Hetet’s brother died. Her brother had been obsessed with Superman, the protector of Metropolis City, since he was little.
‘‘He had Superman memorabilia all through his house,’’ Hetet said. ‘‘Metropolis was a sign.’’
Hetet has around 14 years of hospitality experience behind her.
She’s been a qualified chef for 10 years and worked as a kitchenhand prior to that.
She wanted to own her own cafe before she turned 35, and at 32 she’s achieved that goal.
Hetet met business partner Periyasany a year ago. The two crossed paths working together in Raglan.
‘‘I’m the brawn and he’s the brains,’’ Hetet said.
Periyasany has a background in management.
‘‘Anyone can have a business, but you need to know how to run it,’’ Periyasany said.
Hetet will be cooking a few days a week, alongside head chef Cody Burbery, who she went through chef school with.
The food will be simple but different, she said.
A couple of delicacies on the menu include duck wings and lamb parfait. However, there will still be the classics like eggs benedict.
‘‘We just want to define what it is we want and focus on the cafe,’’ Hetet said.
‘‘Simple, but beautiful food and good service ... we’re out of the square, but not out of the box.’’
Hetet and Periyasany don’t have plans to change the decor of the cafe yet, but will spend some time cleaning and decluttering.
The pair were aware of the trouble the previous owners had experienced.
The plan is to restore Metropolis to its former glory, Hetet said.
‘‘We are aware of its current reputation and it is going to be a challenge. But, between us we’ve got a large network and I’m confident we will be able to fill this place up.
‘‘We’ll let the food and coffee do the talking.’’
There’s a feeling of excitement and nerves, Hetet said.
‘‘But, my brother used to say if you don’t have nerves something is wrong.
‘‘You have to stay humble and nerves make you humble.’’
Metropolis Caffe will open under the new ownership of Hetet and Periyasany on Monday, January 15.