By Luke Voogt
With Caruggi meaning Little Laneway in Genovese, Geelong’s laneways precinct is the perfect location for Amanda and Massimiliano Magnanis’ northern-Italian restaurant.
Amanda says the precinct has completely changed since their arrival, but that’s one of the benefits of their location, as well as being so close to the arts precinct – including the revitalised GPAC, the gallery and the award-winning library.
“We have a lot of people coming pre-theatre or after as well, when there’s one of the many great exhibitions at the gallery, and talks the library host … so I see the whole area as being quite vibrant in the arts sector.”
Amanda says people are excited to visit the precinct and she shares their enthusiasm.
“I like that it’s small and quite funky and unique.
“It’s also very friendly amongst the traders and people are very excited about visiting it because it’s a new feature for Geelong … it’s something that’s a little bit different and quirky, so people seem to really welcome the transition that (the Laneways Project) has brought,” she said.
Amanda also encourages people to visit many times.
“Go to an exhibition, come and have a coffee, go to a show, have dinner before, have a cocktail afterwards – it’s an all day and all night experience, so you can definitely fill a day or fill a night just in this little area, which has a huge amount of offerings, really quality offerings too,” she added.
