Over for eatery

OWNERS of a popular Hobart restaurant say the COVID-19 crisis has forced them to permanently close.

However, Carl Windsor and James Kingston have hinted that Ettie’s may return in a different location in the future.

The pair said the costs of reopening at this time were too much.

A POPULAR Hobart restaurant says the financial hit delivered by COVID-19 has knocked out any hopes of reopening.

Ettie’s is the latest in a series of high-profile eateries to announce they would be closing post pandemic.

Owners Carl Windsor and James Kingston put up a Facebook post on Monday to pass on the news that after three years the Elizabeth St venue would not be coming back.

But the pair did hint that Ettie’s might return in another venue in the future.

“The last few months have been like nothing our industry has ever experienced before,’ the Facebook post reads.

“We were all forced to shut down for an extended period of time and while the government is doing its best to help our industry to recover, some venues will never again hear the chink of glasses, the pops of cork or the laughter of customers enjoying a night out.

“With this in mind, Carl and James have made the very hard but measured decision to not reopen Ettie’s restaurant.”

Ettie’s is not the only highend eatery to decide the losses were too big to overcome.

Ben Milbourne walked away from his Devonport restaurant Charlotte Jack earlier this month. In May, Franklin Restaurant and Bar — rated among the best in Australia — decided it would not reopen post shutdown and Oddfellows Bar and Eatery in Victoria St called for recovery funds to be directed into the hospitality industry as it announced its closure in June.

Mr Windsor and Mr Kingston said the decision was made after weighing up all the costs associated with reopening, the reliance on the tourism market, the risk of another shutdown and fears a venue the size of Ettie’s would not make it through under “new normal” regulations.

“We know how strong the Ettie’s brand is and in the future will look for a new beautiful space to bring Ettie’s back to the Hobart hospitality scene and when we do we hope to see your smiling faces again.’’