The Mulberry Group has officially sold Melbourne cafes Higher Ground, Kettle Black and Top Paddock to Darling Hospitality Group.
The three venues are renowned within Melbourne’s cafe scene for their design-driven fit-outs and modern food offering.
The Mulberry Group was established in 2011 and is run by Nathan Toleman, Diamond Rozakeas and Ben Clark, who said it was a difficult but necessary decision to sell the cafes.
“As hard as it was for us to step out, it’s the right thing for us,” Toleman told Broadsheet. “We felt like we’ve been in that space for a while. We wanted to grow and evolve, and it’s hard to do that when you’re in a space you’re already in, and you’re comfortable.”
It’s reported the groups negotiated for several months before the sale was finalised. Darling Hospitality Group have now taken over the three venues and all staff will remain with the business. Mulberry Group will remain on deck for the next six weeks during the transition.
Mulberry will continue to move forward with new venues Liminal (expected to launch in April 2019) and the recently acquired Beach House Geelong.