THE SUN has been out in Melbourne all week: blue skies, if you will. It creates quite the vibe on Lygon Street.

Whether it’s people stopping for a coffee, a plate of pasta or just going for a stroll, there’s evidently a bit more of a pep in the step of those people making a visit. 

And that’s not to mention the litany of Stronger Together posters adorning shopfronts and walls. 

For Marco Donnini - a generational Bluebagger whose Donnini’s family restaurant has been a mainstay of Carlton hospitality for 70 years - it’s a sight to behold. 

Fans are returning more and more to Carlton heartland, and Donnini couldn’t be happier — for a multitude of reasons.

02:02

Donnini on Lygon Street connection

Restaurant owner and generational Carlton member, Marco Donnini spoke to Carlton Media about the significance of the Club to Lygon Street.

“When Carlton is succeeding, so is Lygon Street. The Club means a lot to the street: I’ve always found the representation of each suburb is its football club,” Donnini told Carlton Media this week. 

“There’s a few extra people around the street, and you can tell they’ve visited The Carlton Shop because there are a few of those bags going around as well. That was quite evident last week, a lot more families that seemed to go to the Club and come to us for a meal afterwards.

“We got to have a bit of a footy chat and it was absolutely fantastic, with people from Perth and Adelaide that came over. There was a great atmosphere.”

As for the ’Stronger Together’ catch cry which is fuelling Carlton people, players, staff and supporters alike, Donnini is all for it.

It’s one which he thinks resonates with not only those inside the football club, but all those who have an affinity for the Navy Blue.

“It’s a fantastic motto, I believe in it. As a cumulative thing, there’s a lot of Carlton people that will stand together and we’ll be stronger as a result of this year,” he said.

“For us as a family, Carlton means the world to us. We live vicariously through the players, because we’re all ex-footballers that didn’t make it! We’ve been very fortunate to have a long association with the football club.”

Donnini would love to see as many Carlton people as possible in the coming days and weeks, and would be more than happy to have anyone pay a visit to 320 Lygon Street whenever the time suits.

“For all the supporters planning to come out, make a reservation because it can get quite busy — especially before the game on Friday night! 

“There seems to be a lot of nods here and there, mutual respect for Carlton people. Come in, have a plate of pasta and enjoy yourselves!