Dumplings are set to replace Big Macs and fries at the old McDonald’s outlet in Cronulla mall.
A development application (DA) has been lodged with Sutherland Shire Council for the “fit-out and use of an existing restaurant in a heritage building as a dumpling restaurant”.
Interior design company, Vie Studio, submitted the DA for half of the area occupied by McDonald’s in the Cronulla Cinemas building before the fast food store’s sudden closure nearly a year ago.
Sheila Liew, of Vie Studio, said the owner had divided the tenancy, and the dumpling restaurant would occupy the right hand side as viewed from the mall.
A “For Lease” sign” is on the window of the separated outlet facing Kingsway.
Ms Liew said the dumpling restaurant would specialise in “home cooked” Chinese food.
It would have about 10 internal seats, and a separate DA would be lodged for outdoor seating.
Ms Liew said it would be the operator’s first restaurant, and the name had not been finalised.
“Damo”, who read the initial story on the Leader website, was quick to suggest “McDumplings”.
Cronulla couple, Sarah and Daniel Hayllar, are among those who are pleased there will finally be a replacement for “Maccas”.
“It would be good to have successful businesses there, and I love dumplings,” Ms Hayllar said.
Cronulla Chamber of Commerce president Mark Aprilovic said it was “great to see a lot of new restaurants opening at Cronulla, and I am looking forward to sampling the dumplings”.
“They will probably be a bit healthier, too,” he dsaid.
The DA said the cost of the fit-out was $244,000.
Construction work has been going on in the shop, which has been vacant since McDonald’s closed without warning in March last year.
At the time, there was widespread speculation about the reasons.
McDonald’s had no comment for four days before a spokeswoman said, “We often assess sites and close restaurants based on factors such as leases ending and relocating sites.”
The spokeswoman said McDonald’s was open to investigating other potential sites in the area.
