Reinvent to survive
Venues have recipe to stay fresh and prosper
IT’S been open less than two years but Ravens Lounge Bar has already undergone a drastic refurbishment and menu change.
Sarah Macsweeney, the owner of the trendy Chevron Island eatery, said she knew she had to reinvent for the business to survive.
“The Gold Coast is such a fast-pace place. With so many amazing operators opening every week, we know if you want to survive you have to keep reinventing,” she said.
“We also understand the importance of social media in a business’s success so it’s good to constantly give people new things to snap and upload. You never want your customers to get bored so it always pays to stay ahead of the curve.”
Ravens recently reopened with a new fit-out, paint job, lighting and “Instagrammable” features such as giant bird cages and photo walls.
The menu is designed to be shared on social media, with colourful cocktails, giant share platters and an entire dessert platter dedicated to unicorns and rainbows.
In the past six months Hellenika, Niche & Co, Not Tonight (now Last Night on Earth), Barefoot Barista, No Name Lane, The Star and Burleigh Social have all undergone revamps.
Arran Woollams, owner of Southport venues Mr PP’s Deli and Rooftop and Last Night on Earth (formerly Not Tonight), said venues needed to reinvent at least every five years.
“Not Tonight opened in 2013 so this year I knew we had to shake it up. We’ve changed the concept and added a rooftop,” he said.
“They say if you own a venue you should reinvent every five years, and I see that a lot with my design company as well. Venues that sort of rest on their laurels can be left behind.”
Ravens’ change of image comes just weeks after several restaurants in the Broadbeach precinct closed their doors.