THE SHAK IS BACK
Popular restuarant finally reopens doors after long absence
IT was sink or swim for Fish Shak when owner Justin Allie was told to shut the doors for four months while the Commonwealth Games went on around him.
But after treading water for so long, he is back in business tomorrow.
A stone’s throw from the Aquatic Centre at Broadwater Parklands in Southport, Mr Allie predicts he lost about $600,000 in revenue during the layoff and only stayed afloat due to his successful second business, Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar under the Q1.
“Personally, it cost me $100,000, not to mention we had to let go of 15 staff members,” he said.
“Having Longboards was massive for us. I don’t know if someone who didn’t have a second income stream would have survived.”
Unlike most strips on the Gold Coast over the Games, restaurants in Southport between the tram stop and Aquatic Centre had strong trade due to their location.
The temporary takeover was listed in Mr Allie’s 10year lease. However, he said that vague terms left him in the dark with exactly how long he’d be out of business.
“It was in the lease but it was only one line that in layman’s terms said we’ll tell you 180 days out when you’ve got to get out,” he said. “So we thought we could trade up to the Games and straight afterwards.
“Nobody knew how long the closure would be for because council wasn’t in charge, GOLDOC was, so estimates of four to six weeks were thrown around but we never expected we’d be out for four months.”
Mr Allie said council had given him two months free rent to recover.
“The biggest thing is we’re reopening in winter,” he said.
“To start again in winter is very tough so we wanted a reprieve on rent and council has given us the first two months free.”
Fans of Longboards Laidback Eatery will be pleased to know the Fish Shak will introduce a large burger menu, on top of their daily seafood offering.
NOBODY KNEW HOW LONG THE CLOSURE WOULD BE FOR BECAUSE COUNCIL WASN’T IN CHARGE, GOLDOC WAS … JUSTIN ALLIE