'It’s very hard to be a business person at this time'
After nearly 15 years sweetening the lives of locals, Theobroma Chocolate Lounge at Chartwell has closed its doors - unable to weather the pressure of rising costs and a sharply declining market.
Co-owner Balaka Malhotra, who ran the business with her husband Ian Roberts-Thomson, said she fought to keep it going, but the odds were stacked too high.
Theobroma’s Centre Place café in the CBD, which the couple also owns, is still running - for now.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.7% Nah - not for me
From rugged campsite to 7.5ha resort
Grant Kilby has always loved camping. His mum was director of health at the YMCA, and he would attend YMCA camps in the school holidays. “I think it was mandatory that I was there,” he jokes.
He went on camping holidays with his parents, and later, took his own kids.
“Camping’s been in my blood.”
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.8% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.2% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
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