Firebombing damages Melbourne vegan cafe just three months after opening
A vegan cafe in North Fitzroy was gutted on October 12 when a suspected arson attack targeted the tobacco shop next door.
Ashish Sharma and Manali Purohit sank their life savings into And Bodega, a vegan cafe that opened in July. Early on October 12, a firebombing tore through the tobacco shop next door.
The cafe was severely damaged. The couple lost about $5,000 in equipment to theft the next day.
Their contents insurance will pay about $25,000, but that falls short of what they need to rebuild at the same location. The firebombing is part of a wave of arson attacks on Melbourne tobacconists since late 2023, with hundreds targeted.
Despite the setback, the couple have received overwhelming community support. Neighbouring businesses offered to donate profits and host fundraisers.
Sharma and Purohit hope to reopen as a smaller hole-in-the-wall cafe serving coffee and baked goods.
- July
- Cafe opened
- October 12
- Attack date
- $5,000
- Equipment stolen
- $25,000
- Insurance payout
Why it mattersArson attacks on tobacco shops are destroying neighbouring businesses through collateral damage. Many small shops near tobacconists are now denied insurance or priced out of cover.
AustraliaMelbourne businesses, especially those near tobacconists, face rising arson risk and insurance problems. The attack shows how the firebombing campaign is spreading collateral damage beyond its intended targets.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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