‘HEARTBROKEN’: GOLD COAST VENUES WHO SAID GOODBYE IN 2023
From the last late-night feed at Surfers Paradise institution Charlie’s Restaurant Cafe and Bar to a final Burleigh headland coffee from Nook Espresso, some of the Gold Coast’s most loved venues closed their doors in 2023. We recount the departures below.
THE BAVARIAN – ROBINA Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina Closed: March
It was a big “dankeschon” from The Bavarian at Robina Town Centre shut up shop after four years in the retail centre.
They broke the news to regulars on March 13.
“We want to take this chance to say ‘dankeschon’ for your continued support,” the statement read.
The Robina restaurant became the first of a few Pacific Concepts locations to close in 2023.
“We are constantly reviewing our venue portfolio and, as part of this ongoing review, we made the difficult decision to close The Bavarian Robina,” a spokesperson said.
I LIKE RAMEN – MERMAID BEACH 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach Closed: March 20
The restaurant, known for mouth-watering ramen bowls, was one of the first venues on the Gold Coast Highway to close under the looming threat of light rail construction.
I Like Ramen owner Dominic Benjamin announced on March 20 they were done after four years on the Nobby Strip.
“Unfortunately we’ve been really experiencing the flowon effect from Covid-19,” Mr Benjamin said.
“We have also been paying an obscene amount of rent in our location.
“All those things coupled with the light rail construction about to start pretty much was the deciding factor to close up and move.”
The closure of the venue left locals ‘heartbroken’.
“Next time you see a grinning politician proud of the light rail, remember the destruction of livelihoods and homes they are so stoked about,” Nikki Archer said.
“Heartbroken. I hope the I Like Ramen can find a new place really soon,” @miltonjunior00 said.
TOTALLY BAKES – ELANORA 13/31 Guineas Creek Road and, K P McGrath Drive, Elanora Closed: April 6
In April, a suburban cafe known for its carrot cake and friendly staff closed after years in the Pines Shopping Centre.
An Elanora resident shared the news on Facebook saying “it saddens me today to say goodbye to the owners and staff of the beautiful cafe next door to Woolworths at The Pines”.
The cafe, which opened during Covid-19, had become a popular meeting point.
Some residents speculated recent rental hikes were behind the departure.
CHARLIE’S RESTAURANT CAFE AND BAR – SURFERS PARADISE 8 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise Closed: April 13
On an afternoon in April a staff member at Charlie’s Restaurant Cafe and Bar in Surfers Paradise told the Bulletin over the phone they had closed.
Soon after the Google listing changed from “permanently closed” to show opening until 10pm.
That same afternoon the Bulletin saw staff members moving cooking equipment and furniture to the front of cafe.
Charlie’s had spent 47 years nestled in the heart of Cavill Mall near the beachfront and was one of the founding businesses of Surfers Paradise when it opened in 1981.
Residents on the Surfers Paradise community page reacted to a pictures showing doors of the cafe shut and said it was “the end of an era”.
PARCBAH ESPRESSO – SOUTHPORT 4/5/19 Alicia St, Southport Closed: April 23
One of the Gold Coast’s most popular dog-friendly cafes signed off after eight years in the city’s CBD.
Southport’s Parcbah Espresso served its final coffee on April 23, with owner Todd Caw saying they decided to close after being faced with another five-year lease.
“The running costs and overheads are getting too expensive,” he said.
“Rent, electricity and wages are all going up.
“RBA interest rates are now biting the locals and they are feeling the pinch.”
Mr Caw shared a heartwarming message to his customers ahead of the closure.
“It has been a memorable eight years servicing Alicia Street,” he said.
“My humble thank you for all for the support and memories, good friends and obviously our furry friends.
Locals were devastated to hear the news with some saying they will miss their “smooth coffee and tasty treats”.
52 ESPRESSO – NOBBY BEACH 2221 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach Closed: April 30
52 Espresso were among the seven stores which closed in April to make way for the development of The Oxley.
The owners said they were heartbroken to be closing their cafe after four years of trading in Nobby Beach.
They left a message for their loyal customers before their departure.
“To our amazing customers, the time has come for us to close up and make way for the new development,” they said.
“We want to thank you all for your continued support over the last four years that I have had the cafe.”
CANVAS ESPRESSO – NOBBY BEACH Nobby Beach Closed: April 30
Canvas Espresso said they were taken by surprise after the developer of The Oxley gave them less than a month to close their doors in Nobby Beach.
Owner Sarah Bradley said they were sad to say goodbye to the area after more than a decade of trading.
“It is sad to see these old buildings go,” she said.
“Although change is difficult, we feel confident the new development will be great for the community and bring lots of new and exciting retailers and energy.”
She and her partner Luke took over the store five years ago when they had a oneweek-old baby and two other children.
“We poured our heart and soul, and all our savings into creating a space that our community could love and enjoy,” Ms Bradley said.
“There has been great times, tough times, laughter, tears, mistakes made, huge achievements, milestones and lifelong friends and memories made.”
On their announcement post a commenter said the development would “take away the Nobbys charm”.
Ms Bradley replied: “It’s the end of an era, that’s for sure”.
DAYMAKER ESPRESSO – MIAMI BEACH 44 Pacific Ave, Miami Closed: May 14
Popular coffee shop Daymaker Espresso closed their shop in Miami Beach and the owners citing the looming development as the reason.
Owners Andrew Madgwick and Dylan Nesbit said he was sad to say goodbye to the venue.
“It is with much sadness that Daymaker’s chapter is coming to an end,” Mr Madgwick said.
He pointed to “development” in the area as the reason for closing, saying another “eight to 10 new shops were going in” near their cafe.
“(But) development is usually at someone else’s expense. Usually pushing out the local shops that have been helping create a culture in the community,” Mr Madgwick said.
“(We) feel pretty upset knowing we helped build a culture here in the Miami area with the other local businesses.
“Seeing what we’ve created over the past five years being taking away so easy is not a nice feeling.”
Mr Madgwick said they received an overwhelming response from locals who said they were “absolutely crushed”.
TUCKER ON FERRY – SOUTHPORT 2/201 Ferry Rd, Southport Closed: June
Tucker on Ferry shocked residents after they abruptly closed their doors due to rising rental prices.
Residents left hundreds of comments on social media sharing their “upset” and “devastation” over the closure.
The owner replied to one regular and said their lease had expired and “the economy isn’t doing too well right now” so they decided to shutter the suburban staple.
“We tried to ask our site manager and landlord to reduce the rent substantially, but they refused,” the reply said.
“Thank you for the support over the years.”
Tucker on Ferry served a variety of foods including fish and chips, Chinese classics and burgers.
EL CAMINO – ROBINA 19-33 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina Closed: June
The Mexican restaurant famous for its frozen margaritas closed after three years of trading at Robina Town Centre.
A Pacific Concepts spokesperson said El Camino’s closure was “due to ongoing reviews of venue performance” and their “overall portfolio”.
A Robina Town Centre
spokesperson said the departure was a “mutual” decision and they were experiencing a strong demand for retail space at the centre.
“The centre remains committed to ensuring our retail offer evolves with the demands of the region,” they said.
The closure came amid rumours of the company having to take major cost-cutting measures across their Australian eateries including The Bavarian, Fratelli Fresh, Munich Brauhaus, Bar Patron and The Argyle.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF – MAIN BEACH Sop 40/60-70 SeaWorld Dr, Main Beach Closed: June 25
Arguably one of the biggest venue closures on the Gold Coast this year was saying goodbye to the iconic 25-yearold Fisherman’s Wharf.
The closure came amid an ugly dispute around a multimillion-dollar redevelopment.
More than 30 Gold Coast tourism operators based at Mariner’s Cove were faced with uncertainty after a $480m redevelopment for the area was announced.
On a Wednesday in June, Gold Coaster Nikki Stoneman took to social media and said they would be closing.
Ms Stoneman’s husband, who was a DJ at Fisherman’s Wharf, had his gigs “pulled” and she said she had heard the reason for the venue’s closure was it would be “demolished to make way for the upcoming major Marina redevelopment”.
“Going to miss this place,” Ms Stoneman said.
“Obviously the tavern is not the same Fishos building from the 80s that held famous concerts etc, but it’s still a well-established Gold Coast business that has been around for decades.”
THE BAVARIAN – BROADBEACH 2 Oracle Bvd, Broadbeach Closed: August
The Bavarian in Broadbeach closed at the end August leaving southern residents without their German fix.
The Broadbeach closure was the Pacific Concepts third Gold Coast venue closure after they held a review on whether the locations were beneficial for them.
However, a Pacific Concepts spokesperson said they had no immediate plans to close the remaining The Bavarian which was at Coomera Westfield.
Broadbeach’s Moo Moo owners Steven and Autumn Adams said they would transforming the vacant space where The Bavarian in Broadbeach used to trade.
They announced they would be opening a two-storey ‘world-class seafood’ restaurant boasting more than 200 wines.
That venue Blowfish opened on December 1.
BURLEIGH BARRELS – BURLEIGH HEADS 3-4/105 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads Closed: August 31
Burleigh Barrels Brewery, Distillery and Smokehouse made the shock announcement on August 29 that it would be closing due to “circumstances beyond our control”.
The brewery was opened by Pat McCarthy and Peter Trimble alongside head brewer Chris Smith in April, 2022.
Mr Trimble allegedly parted ways with the brewery earlier this year.
However, five weeks after the closure a worker who wished to remain anonymous claimed 12 staff were still owed up to $35,000 in wages by the company.
Responding to the claims, Mr McCarthy said the company was experiencing “financial stress” and had a number of creditors who were owed money, including former staff.
“We know that this has regretfully caused some significant hardship, and we totally understand that, but we’re working in good faith under incredibly hard circumstances to get the best outcome for all creditors, including former staff,” he said.
“Those obligations are not being walked away from and are forefront with the issues we are working with our adviser to resolve.”
OKAWARI HOUSE – NOBBY BEACH 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach Closed: October 1
Gold Coast small bar king Scott Imlach announced the immediate closure of his Japanese restaurant after only five months of trading.
Ms Imlach took over the venue in April after the closure of I Like Ramen, with a vision to bring the night-life of Japan’s party city precinct Shinjuku to the Gold Coast.
He said he took “full responsibility” for originally reading the market wrong.
He said while the Light Rail stage 3 works and the construction of the low-rise development, The Oxley, was impacting business, it was not the reason the restaurant closed.
“We simply got the model wrong,” Mr Imlach said.
“The market is tough out there for new venues as disposable income becomes harder to find. People are spending their money more wisely in established venues rather than new venues,” he said.
Mr Imlach said his other businesses such as Hideaway Kitchen and Bar, Nightjar, Precinct Brewing, Tank Bar and Dining and Bine Bar and dining were going “full steam ahead”.
NOOK ESPRESSO – BURLEIGH HEADS 64 Goodwin Terrace, Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade Closed: October 31
Burleigh locals were “lost” and “heartbroken” after farewelling their favourite coffee shop.
Hundreds of regulars lined up one last time at Nook Espresso on a Tuesday in October to say goodbye after 15 years of trading on the Burleigh headland.
In August 2022, the business was forced to move from its nook in the Burleigh Pavilion building to a small coffee cart at the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.
Then, last December, it moved to a shopfront inside the arcade, even able to offer seating for the first time.
But Mr Wilkins said, as much as they loved the location, it would have never been their forever home, with controversial plans to redevelop the building into a 14-storey, 36-unit complex.
“I knew this was always going to happen, we were on a month-to-month lease, but it just seemed like it wouldn’t happen right now.
“With all of the light rail construction, we all figured the developers wouldn’t start until that was over. But here we are.”
Resident Wayne Nicholson said the caffeine institution’s community-based business model changed Burleigh Heads for the better.
“I don’t think they realise what they have done for everyone in the suburb,” he said.
NACHO BABY - TWEED HEADS 2a/28-30 Bay St, Tweed Heads Closed: December 8
To wrap up the year, news broke about Nacho Baby’s sudden closure after only three months of trading.
Bulletin queries to ex-MAFS contestant and Nacho Baby shareholder Dan Hunjas were met with a statement saying the operating company was entering voluntary administration.
The restaurant was started by Carly Electric but shareholders voted her out as a director in December.
Shareholders and staff alleged Ms Electric as the ex-manager had a “lack of experience”.
The shareholders and staff blamed her for claims of overdue rent, staff wages and superannuation.
Ms Electric denies all those allegations and claimed it was the fault of the shareholders and claimed they “removed all rights” for her as a business owner before the September launch.
Mr Hunjas claimed after the management restructure it was discovered the business was in a “very poor financial position” “Myself, along with the other shareholders, creditors and staff are out of pocket hundreds of thousands.”
PRETTY HANDSOME 18 Christine Ave, Burleigh Heads Closed: December 16
In a sad end, Burleigh’s Pretty Handsome announced it was shutting after a two-year battle with council.
Owner Cleo Watterson said they had been unable to complete a costly council Development Application to change their space from light commercial to food and beverage, begun in 2021.
While neighbours, including Gold Coast hospitality king Scott Imlach, wanted to help – even offering their own carparks to combat a shortage in the area – the small business did not have the funds to continue the fight.
“Despite our efforts to come up with different ideas to fix this issue, unfortunately about one month ago the council said they were going to refuse us and we have to close the premises by December 16,” she said.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said: “The cafe was approved in a single tenancy and expanded into a second tenancy without the necessary approval.
“The city has worked with the owner to achieve a retrospective approval for the expanded business.
“Unfortunately, they have not been able to meet the relevant criteria, noting the immediate area has very limited on-street parking spaces available. The owner has opted to withdraw the application.”