A popular cafe considered the beating heart of Islington closes its doors on Sunday.
Slingtown Espresso, affectionately referred to as Slingers.
The cafe's social media pages have been flooded with emotional tributes, photos, and fond recollections since it was announced on August 5 that its lease would not be renewed.
Coffee roaster Mishka Golski opened Suspension Espresso at 3 Beaumont Street in 2003.
"The cafe was a wild place, we had the most delicious blend of customers in the shop. Some were older, apparently conservative people who would brave the strange environment for a really good cup of coffee," he told Weekender in 2023.
"We had hippies, activists, sex workers, fashionistas, punks, graffiti writers, bankers, lawyers, football players, as well as being an LGBTIQ safe place."
Chris Johnston and Steph Whitehead took over the cafe in 2006, and in 2023 renamed it Slingtown Espresso.
On Sunday, 2pm to 8pm, the couple will celebrate 20 years of connections and coffee with customers, staff and the community at a "Backyard BBQ" featuring live music from Dank Hank and The Hot Ones, The High Andies, and Bricks.
"We're having a quiet farewell, so that means it could be really busy," Johnston tells Weekender, laughing.
What made Slingtown Espresso so special to so many people?
"It's pretty hard to articulate. We just opened the doors and everyone was welcome," he replies.
"We've always taken great care to have a high regard for everyone, no matter their station in life, and we've tried to instil that in the staff.
"The community are a big part of it, too. Slingtown has been a haven for so many people. Everyone is welcome ... that's the crux of it all."
Islington has changed a lot during Johnston's 20 years at Slingtown. The suburb remains a creative hub that attracts an eclectic mix of people and shops, but some of its grittier edges have been polished.
"In the early days it was a very colourful part of town and pretty sketchy after dark. A lot of drugs, a lot of prostitutes walking the streets. It was interesting," he says.
"All walks of life would come through the door."
Although loved for its coffee, Slingtown Espresso became more than a cafe for customers. It was a meeting place, an art gallery, a venue for special occasions, a space to study or write, or to sit quietly and watch the world go by.
For the homeless and the lonely it was a lifeline. A warm hug on a cold day.
"Someone once said it was like a community centre," Johnston says.
"Another time one of my customers said 'It's like a kitchen at home' and a lady behind her overheard and said 'Yes, but my kitchen is lonely'.
"It's been an extension of people's homes, really. But that's all cafes, if you do it properly. That's the beauty of them."
Johnston and Whitehead also own Good Brother Espresso in Newcastle East and The Pavilion in Carrington. Would they consider opening another cafe in Islington?
"I think the answer is yes, we would, but for now we just want to focus on our other two venues," Johnston says.
"We'll keep it small for a while, recover a bit. And I'll get back to what I've always loved the most, which is pouring coffee. I can't wait to get back on the machine.
"Good Brother and The Pav are different venues but we still try to imbue the same spirit as Slingtown, of being welcoming to everybody. But there's nothing quite like Slingtown, I have to say."
I ask Johnston what he is most proud of at Slingtown Espresso.
"That's a tough one. It has to be the staff. For 20 years we've always had such an incredible staff culture there. They have been like my family," he replies, the emotion evident in his voice.
"Our staff tend to stay for a long time. We've been able to create a staff culture at Slingtown that is so strong and so stable, and that filters down to the community ... from front-of-house to the customers.
"I want to thank every person who has ever visited Slingtown. They have allowed me to have the best job in the world and support my little family. I'm just so grateful.
"OK, now I'm gonna cry! I promised myself I wouldn't."
