A quiet, affluent Perth suburb has been rocked by an extraordinary neighbourhood dispute, escalating from noise complaints to a police call-out and an alleged megaphone-wielding local screaming obscenities at cafe patrons.
At the centre of the storm is Sam Kaye, owner of the bustling Side Piece Deli in Swanbourne, who has been embroiled in the eight-month feud now set for a Supreme Court showdown.
Mr Kaye’s thriving cafe empire hit an unexpected snag, when a nearby residents started complaining about everything from noise and traffic to odours and customers blocking footpaths.
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The dispute reached boiling point when neighbour Kerry Wells allegedly screamed expletives through a megaphone at the packed deli, alarming patrons enjoying their breakfast.
Mrs Wells has since admitted to “losing her cool” during the confrontation, yelling “shut the f*** up” towards the cafe.
“Mr Kaye banned me from the premises when I have asked for the cacophony in the rear alfresco to be toned down,’ she wrote in an email sent to Town of Claremont councillors and The POST newspaper.
Neighbours have complained about noise, traffic, odours and Side Piece Deli customers blocking footpaths.
The row centres on Side Piece Deli and owner Sam Kaye, with residents pushing to overturn its planning approval. Source: Facebook
Mr Kaye confirmed two locals had been banned, alleging that residents retaliated by blasting disruptive static noise towards his venue for hours on end.
The saga has now taken a dramatic turn, heading for the Supreme Court next month.
Luxury homeowner Ian Satchwell, whose $5.5 million residence sits just two doors from the cafe, is spearheading a legal challenge to shut it down.
Mr Satchwell argues the cafe’s council approval was unlawful and has filed a writ application seeking to overturn its planning approval, claiming the popular spot is operating as a fast-food restaurant.
For Mr Kaye, this fourth hospitality venture has proven to be his most challenging.
“What started as what we believed would be a typical neighbour concern, unfortunately, escalated over time into something much larger and more public than we ever anticipated,’ he told the Daily Mail.
he cafe operates on a busy Shenton Road in Swanbourne, one of Perth’s wealthiest suburbs
Neighbour Kerry Wells said she was banned from the cafe when she asked for the cacophony to be toned down. Source: Google Maps
He maintains his focus has been on creating a “great local venue for the community,” working closely with the Town of Claremont and complying with all relevant approvals.
“We’ve made several adjustments and operational compromises along the way to be respectful of surrounding residents and to keep the peace,” he added.
Despite “difficult and confronting” moments for staff and customers, Mr Kaye has been buoyed by an “overwhelming response from customers and locals who simply enjoy having a neighbourhood cafe in the area.”
He anticipates the legal battle could cost upwards of $150,000 to defend.
Council records show Ms Wells had previously complained about “noxious odours” from the cafe, which opened in August 2025, prompting an investigation in February.
The council recently issued a permit allowing the cafe to have outdoor seating for four people on the footpath, a move to address frequent complaints about long queues spilling onto public thoroughfares.
While the Town of Claremont has stated it would be premature to comment on the ongoing case, it has previously affirmed the cafe’s compliance with its local planning scheme.