Wing La Cakes is an institution. For four decades it’s been creating Taiwanese / Hong Kong-style sponge cakes for families across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Owner Linh took over the business from her brother in 2000, after visiting Melbourne from New York and falling in love with the city. She moved her family, including her husband and daughter, and has been building its icon status ever since.
“Wing La Cakes is a landmark in Footscray. If you get lost – people will tell you, ‘Go to Wing La Cakes’ and they will give you directions from there,” said Linh.
The challenge – cash no longer king
Like many businesses fortunate enough to trade on recommendations and reputation, Melbourne’s infamous Covid lockdowns, accelerating digitalisation, and the rising cost of living made business tough.
“We really struggled through the lockdowns because we weren’t online and hadn’t made the leap to digital. Even after the lockdowns lifted, we mostly accepted cash and people just didn’t want to pay like that,” said Linh.
“We thought, we’re not in the days of camels and suitcases for carrying cash, so we need to move on,” she said.
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