Two experienced operators have been appointed to run the food and beverage outlets at two of the City of Fremantle’s most popular facilities.
Café owners, Loan and Triet Ly, will take over the café at the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre.
It’s a return to a familiar place for the couple, who used to run the very successful Canvas Café at the Arts Centre for more than a decade.
“From a business point of view, we decided that this is the right opportunity for our family,” Loan said.
“After finishing Canvas Café in 2022, we took the time to rest, reflect, travel and start a new business. Now that our business in Victoria Park has been established and is steady, it’s a good time for us to return to the Arts Centre, pick up where we left off and make it even better.”
The City has completed some restoration work on the café, including painting, flooring, electrical and landscaping.
The Ly family is working on a new brand and fresh fit out, with the new café to be called PLATED. There may even be the return of some familiar faces among the kitchen and service staff as well.
It will serve Modern Australian seasonal food to customers seven days a week and will also cater for events and exhibitions in coordination with the Arts Centre team, with picnic baskets and high tea options among the offering.
PLATED is scheduled to open on 1 September 2025. Updates will be posted on Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre’s social media channels.
Meanwhile, the kiosk at the Fremantle Leisure Centre will re-open its doors as Leisure and Bean in early to mid-August 2025.
Owners Walter Goss and Anne-Kathrin Jahn previously ran Little Stove café in Bicton before selling up and travelling the world in late 2023.
“What we enjoyed most about our time at Little Stove was being part of a community and providing a space for people to come for coffee, food and conversation. This will be our main goal for Leisure and Bean as well,” Walter said.
“After taking some personal time to travel and recharge, it has only reminded us that we live in one of the most beautiful spots on earth and we were thrilled when the opportunity presented itself to run a community and neighbourhood-based project in our own backyard again.”
As well as getting to know the Leisure Centre regulars, by providing quality coffee and ‘grab and go’ food items, the husband-and-wife team plans to create an alfresco area outside the Leisure Centre, on the Shuffrey Street side, for passers-by to grab a quick coffee and a bite to eat – starting with some winter warmers like hot soup and porridge.
City of Fremantle CEO Glen Dougall welcomed both new lessees.
“We appreciate the community’s patience, while we worked to secure these long-term leases. We’ve managed to attract some really top-quality hospitality professionals, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” Mr Dougall said.
Above: City of Fremantle CEO Glen Dougall and Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge with cafe owners Loan and Triet Ly at the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre.
