The following business proprietors were Silver recipients of the Lord Mayor's Commendations in 2016.
Sofia Basile – Unico Hair
Bringing quality hair services to Degraves Melbourne for more than 25 years
Since opening the Unico Hair doors nearly three decades ago, Sofia Basile has watched Degraves Street evolve from a seedy, grungy alley to the vibrant European laneway we know today.
While the world around them has changed, Sofia and her team have continued to provide their city clients with a range of premium, creative hair services.
Sofia has also developed her own line of haircare products, which combine plant-based ingredients with essential oils, to make sure that the award-winning Unico Hair service continues well after her clients have left the salon.
Giancarlo Caprioli, Beverley Caprioli and Paolo Ferraro – University Cafe
Over 50 years of Italian food, wine and coffee
University Cafe opened in 1952 and quickly became a popular spot for Italian immigrants who were looking for a new life, but still wanted to enjoy the food and coffee of home.
Giancarlo and his wife Beverley bought the cafe in 1978, and renovated the space into a sparkling, hip cafe – while making sure that the Italian food, wine and coffee remained at centre stage.
Over 50 years and three generations, the Caprioli family have managed to keep the cafe balanced between its heritage and the changing times, ensuring the University Cafe’s place as one of the city’s most iconic establishments.
Beh Kim Uh – Shakahari Vegetarian Restaurant
Serving innovative cuisine for 38 years
Shakahari is Australia’s oldest, exclusively vegetarian restaurant.
Since 1972, it has stood at the head of a vegetarian tradition that began with Melbourne’s first such establishment in 1882.
Head chef and proprietor of several Melbourne restaurants (Monsoon, Isthmus of Kra, Madam Fang and Shakahari Too), Beh Kim Un has won many ‘Chef Hat’ awards, ‘Best of’ recognitions, and outstanding reviews in Australian and international publications. His seasonal menus apply an ecological and sustainability awareness that derives, in no small part, from his home farm in central Victoria.
Dr Edmond Lobaza
Keeping city smiles healthy since 1985
Dr Edmond Lobaza has been keeping city smiles healthy with his periodontal expertise since 1985.
Starting out as a general dentist in the late 70s, Dr Lobaza completed an M.DSc in periodontics at the University of Melbourne in 1985 and worked as an assistant professor at the University of California before returning to Melbourne and opening his Collins Street practice.
Since then, he has built his periodontal expertise in treatments such as gum disease, crown lengthening, dental implants, aesthetic periodontal surgery, bone grafts and soft tissue grafts.
Colin Paraskevas – Minotaur Entertainment
Supplying comics and pop-culture products for more than 25 years
Minotaur started as a mail order retailer in 1976, importing comics and related products that weren’t available in Australia.
Colin opened his first store on Tattersalls Lane in 1979, and for more 40 years has kept with the times, offering comics and merchandise from the latest pop-culture hits like Star Wars, Game of Thrones, World of Warcraft, Adventure Time and a range of anime, manga and sci-fi favourites.
More than just a store, Minotaur has become a popular meeting place, where fans of all genres come dressed up in their favourite Cosplay outfits.
Bruce Pham – Bruce Goose
Selling high-quality socks and hosiery at Queen Victoria Market since 1991
While at secondary school, Bruce Pham began working with his parents at their two Queen Victoria Market stores selling high-quality Australian-made woollen, cotton and bamboo socks and Korean hosiery.
At 18, he obtained his driver licence and officially joined the family business, while continuing his tertiary study part-time.
Over more than 25 years in the trade, Bruce has developed a close relationship with the local Italian makers of the socks. He now works alongside the son of his parents’ original supplier to design socks which are made exclusively for Bruce Goose.
Mark Teahen – Crystal Heart
Bringing gemstones and pure energy to Melbourne for more than 25 years
As soon as you enter Crystal Heart you experience its calm tranquil energy – such an unexpected find on busy Lygon Street! Inside you find an Aladdin's Cave of rare gems, healing stones, aromatherapy, self-help books and gifts. The store also provides a beautiful range of jewellery, much of it designed exclusively by the owner, Mark Teahan.
Back in 1979, Mark left his work as a seismologist to visit India and pursue a path of meditation. There his love of gems and crystals for their pure energies was born. From that, Mark opened Crystal Heart in Perth in 1986, and moved the business to Carlton in 1990.
Crystal Heart is now the longest running single-owner business of its kind in Australia.
Tony Tenuta – Transit Newsagency
Keeping Melbourne commuters informed for 25 years
Located on the bustling corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets, Transit Newsagency offers Melbourne’s commuters an extensive range of magazines, gift cards, stationery and Tattslotto products.
Tony Tenuta has been peddling the news opposite the State Library since 1991, when the store was opened as part of the new Melbourne Central shopping centre.
Over the 25 years since, Transit has evolved into one of the largest and most diverse news retailers in Australia.
Fred Tsindos – Tsindos Greek Restaurant
Home of traditional Greek fare
Established by Eleftheria and Fred Tsindos in 1984, Tsindos is the oldest Greek restaurant in the area, serving the local community and tourists with authentic Greek food in a Mediterranean atmosphere.
The last remaining establishment of the Tsindos dynasty, which included Fiorentino, cafe Eduard, Greek inn and Tsindos Bistro, Tsindos was at one time a popular meeting place for Labor personalities like Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke and Steve Bucks.
Now, the iconic Lonsdale street restaurant is run by Harry Tsindos, who is continuing his parent’s and grandparent’s legacy of offering authentic Greek food with the opening of Melina's Roof Top Bar.
Bill Tzimas – Bills Farm
Purveyor of quality cheeses for over 25 years
In the early 90s, cupid struck Bill Tzimis and he fell head-over-heels in love with cheese. Following his heart, the secondary school teacher decided to make a ‘cheese-change’ and opened Bill’s Farm with a simple vision: to supply quality produce at affordable prices.
With a range that includes the best Australian and European cheeses, as well as smallgoods, smoked fish, olive oils and other antipasto delights, Bill’s Farm has since become a favourite supplier for Melbourne’s restaurants, cafes, and cheese lovers alike.
Bill also enjoys being able to help keep our national cheese industry at the top of its game through his role as a Dairy Australia cheese judge.
Gabrielle Wallace – Gazelle Jewellery
Sharing her passion for eclectic jewellery since 1989
More than 25 years ago, Gabrielle Wallace decided to follow her passion and open her own jewellery shop.
Gazelle Jewellery was opened in 1989, offering a range of silver, gold, gemstones and tribal jewellery from its prime spot in Centreway Arcade.
Working with artisans from all over the world, Gabrielle sources an adventurous and eclectic range of pieces, offering her customers a beautiful glimpse into a diverse mix of cultures.
Gabrielle has loved being able to share passion with others through Gazelle’s collections, and has built a loyal following of clients, many of whom have become real friends.
Malcolm Wulf – Oxford Scholar Hotel
Providing a neighborhood pub in the heart of the City for over 25 years
In 1991, after a short closure, the Oxford Hotel was reborn as the Oxford Scholar Hotel – a nod to its location, directly opposite RMIT.
For four years, Malcolm Wulf lived in the manager’s flat above the pub, looking after the Hotel’s residents, until a major renovation in 1998 saw the removal of the residential area.
Today, the ‘Ox’ is popular with students and city workers alike, offering a suburban pub vibe in the heart of the city with cheap meals, good beers, plenty of sports on screen, and the odd meat raffle thrown in for good measure.