Order has been restored at Curtin Shops after vandalism earlier this week but some business owners want an upgrade. Photo: James Coleman.
A Canberra restaurant owner is lobbying the ACT Government for a “long overdue” upgrade to the Curtin Shops after a spate of vandalism and burglary earlier this week.
When he went to open up Two Blind Mice early on Thursday morning (19 June), owner Sam Carlini found a messy scene in the shopping centre’s main outdoor courtyard.
“Plants ripped out, soil thrown across the pavement, chairs overturned,” he posted in a video to social media.
“It’s frustrating and disheartening, but unfortunately not uncommon.”
ACT Policing have made four arrests relating to the incident. While charges are yet to be laid, “enquiries are still ongoing”.
The arrests came after police were called to a “disturbance” at Curtin Shops at about 3:30 am on Thursday.
“Upon arrival, significant damage was observed at the shopfront of a chemist shop,” a spokesperson said.
“Three women aged 18 and a 13-year-old girl were arrested nearby.”
It was the second time police had been called to the Curtin Shops in less than a week.
On Sunday (15 June) at about 5:30 am, CCTV footage showed burglars breaking into the precinct’s café and nail salon.
“A small sum of cash was taken from one business with damage caused to entry doors at both businesses,” ACT Policing said.
Police are asking for anyone with information about this case to contact Crime Stoppers.
Mr Carlini is not sitting back and accepting the situation.
The business owner has launched an online petition for the ACT Government to “commit funding to a much-needed revamp” of the Curtin Shops.
“The Curtin Shops are long overdue for upgrades,” he wrote.
“The precinct is showing its age – with tired infrastructure, a lack of accessible facilities, and few amenities that support social connection, safety, or community use.
“These issues are holding Curtin back from reaching its potential as a modern, inclusive, and welcoming community hub.”
Mr Carlini’s restaurant opened in January 2022, as part of an attempt to inject some foodie life into the shopping centre. Two Blind Mice is described as a “local all-day pub that meets the culinary creativity of a modern European kitchen”.
“I don’t want to go into the city every time I just want a nice drink,” he told Region shortly after the opening.
“I wanted to bring something to the area where locals can enjoy awesome quality restaurant food but in a casual experience.”
Mr Carlini recently installed communal benches in the public courtyard outside the restaurant “at my own expense to help encourage connection and comfort in the precinct”.
“They were well-used and appreciated – until I was told to remove them following an anonymous complaint,” he wrote in the petition’s description.
“That decision was disappointing, but it also shone a light on a deeper issue: our local centre is not being treated as the community asset it deserves to be.”
Two Blind Mice chef Josh McDonald and owner Sam Carlini. Photo: Zachary Griffith.
Mr Carlini said he previously wrote to the ACT’s former Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel, in which the minister gave notional agreement to the idea of an upgrade.
“Minister Steel has responded, indicating a petition would help demonstrate community support,” Mr Carlini said.
He’s currently asking as many locals as possible to add their name to the petition to “show Minister Steel this matters to all of us”.
“By calling for a well-planned, community-informed upgrade of the Curtin Shops, we’re not just asking for cosmetic improvements – we’re advocating for a future where local centres are places people want to be.”
The ACT Government was contacted for comment.
