Ditters Back in Adelaide Arcade
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 22nd July 2025
A SERENDIPITOUS RETURN TO ADELAIDE ARCADE FOR DITTERS NUTS
Ditters will mark a return to bricks-and-mortar retail with a store in Adelaide Arcade to open Monday, 28th July – in the exact same shop they held 40 years ago.
Their return is being made possible through Renew Adelaide, and Ditters is warmly welcomed by the arcade as a well-loved Adelaide owned and operated business for more than a century.
Ditters Owner, Matt Johnson, says the serendipitous return to Shop 22 is a significantly symbolic way to revive the brand name to both old and new consumers.
“Opening a store in the Adelaide CBD is the next step towards rebuilding the Ditters business,” says Matt. “We’re passionate about ensuring that these unique and delicious products are not lost but instead enjoyed by future generations.”
Ditters had its last Adelaide CBD store in 2012 on Gawler Place and has been based out of its Melrose Park factory door since 2019 with sales continuing online and through national outlets like David Jones.
The relaunch of a city shopfront was inspired by Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, who visited Ditters’ production site 12 months ago. She urged Matt and wife/Co-Owner, Esther, to consider a return to the CBD, approaching Renew Adelaide to garner support for the brand.
“Ditters’ long-standing association with the Adelaide CBD stretches back to the 1920s, when they had a shop in Pirie Street, across the road from the Adelaide Town Hall, so it’s a real treat to have their distinctive aroma and products return to our city,” says Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith.
The company, founded in 1918 by Otto Ditter, found popularity in products ranging from roasted nuts to dried and glazed fruits, and the famous Ditters Gourmet Cake.
Adapted by Dawn Ditter from an American recipe, the Gourmet Cake recipe calls for the barest amount of cake mixture holding a rich assortment of dried and glacé fruit and nuts. The same recipe is still used today, and thousands are made each year.
All of Ditters’ cherished creations will be available at the Adelaide Arcade store, to be managed by Esther, a graphic designer who has illustrated the story of Ditters on their newest gift boxes.
Paying homage to the business, shoppers will be welcomed by a commissioned portrait of Otto Ditter created by local artist Marisha Matthews. It will be unveiled at an official launch event on Thursday, 11th September, as will other nods to Ditters’ rich history, including a quote on the wall by Sol Simeon in the Sunday Mail, 11 July 1982. He describes Ditters as ‘a treasure of South Australia’.
Adelaide Arcade General Manager, Andrew Jonats, says welcoming Ditters back during the precinct’s 140th anniversary was a win for locals.
“Ditters has been a favourite for generations and we support their transition back to retail stores – especially in the very shop they were last in!” says Andrew. “Whether it’s glace or dried fruit, or freshly roasted nuts, we’re sure everyone will have their favourites to buy.”
Renew Adelaide is equally delighted to support this iconic local brand to re-establish its CBD presence. Renew Adelaide CEO Gianna Murphy says many will have a sentimental pull towards the business.
“I have fond memories of buying Ditters’ warm roasted macadamias at their Gawler Place store in my teenage years,” says Gianna. “Adelaide Arcade is the perfect location for them to connect with local shoppers – whether they’re long-time fans or just discovering the range for the first time.”
Ditters opens in Shop 22, Adelaide Arcade on Monday, 28th July 2025.
-ENDS-
OWNER BACKGROUND
Matt and Esther Johnson
Matt was born and raised in Adelaide, studying Economics at Flinders University before entering the South Australian public sector working in both policy and service delivery roles for 20 years. He served as Deputy Agent-General for South Australia in London from 2010-2014, championing the interests of our State in the UK and Europe. He was closely involved in the development of our State brand and instrumental in the project to rediscover and acknowledge Matthew Flinders in the UK and his contributions to South Australia. In 2019, Matt set out on a new path in the private sector to revive the iconic South Australian brand, Ditters. Ditters is a brand he has loved since childhood. He recalls Ditters glacé fruit being served by his grandparents at Christmas time…a special treat for the adults to enjoy! He is passionate about all things South Australia and is a Crows fan.
Esther is a classically trained pianist with an Honours performance degree from the Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide University. Born in Malaysia, she migrated to Adelaide as a child aged 10. Adelaide has been a place she and her family have happily called home since the late 80s. She feels an affinity with Otto Ditter, founder of Ditters, in terms of migrant endeavour! A creative sort with an interest in art and design, Esther studied graphic design in London and has worked as a graphic designer since 2013. Since that time, she has built a successful freelance design business, helped and supported many local businesses, and contributed to large organisations like Flinders University. She is currently the Brand Manager for Ditters, taking care of design, marketing, communication and customer service. Esther has illustrated the story of Ditters on their newest range of gift boxes.
Together, Matt and Esther have worked in a hands-on way to rebuild Ditters’ product offering, drawing on traditional Ditters recipes and evolving a few new ones along the way. All three of their children have worked in the business. Matt and Esther see themselves as custodians and protectors of this much-loved South Australian brand. With Matt working full-time in the factory and Esther managing the Adelaide Arcade store, Ditters is still very much a South Australian family owned and operated business.
MEDIA CONTACT – GAT AGENCY
Maree Hopgood
Director
0419 150 229
maree@gatagency.com.au
