KICKON STEPS UP TO MARK
POPULAR Townsville waterfront bar and restaurant The Watermark has new owners.
The Melbourne-based Kickon Group has acquired the business in what is understood to have been a multimillion-dollar deal and is planning a makeover with new furniture.
One of its former employees, Bart Furst, is managing the venue and is also a shareholder.
Group founder Craig Shearer says they will build on The Watermark’s incredible reputation.
“We’re working closely with our new business partner and venue manager Bart Furst, who has over 20 years’ hospitality experience under his belt,” Mr Shearer said.
Mr Furst has made the move to Townsville with his young family to start a new life in North Queensland.
He previously worked with both the Kickon Group and the Australian Venue Co in Albury.
Having never been to Townsville previously and having been prevented from visiting by Covid lockdowns last year ahead of the deal, they decided to go ahead and loved what they found.
“The people of Townsville have been so welcoming to myself and my family and meeting so many amazing people over the past four months has really helped us feel at home,” Mr Furst said.
“I love it up here. The whole Strand is something magical.”
Bart’s brother, Kickon Group executive chef Jake Furst, will work closely with him to develop a refreshed menu for The Watermark.
Jake said it was great to be working closely with his brother again.
“I’m looking forward to creating a menu that is inspired by the incredible surrounds, local ingredients ... and continues the beachside dining experience that the locals and tourists know and love,” Jake said.
Bart said he had joined the local liquor accord group.
“I see this as an opportunity to build on the reputation of excellent food and great service already being provided at The Watermark, while also supporting the community in every way I can,” Bart said.
The Watermark is the seventh venue in Kickon Group’s current portfolio, joining The Plough Inn (South Bank), The Collective (Palm Beach), Osbourne Hotel (Fortitude Valley), Terminus Hotel (Fitzroy), Cinder (Fitzroy) and Australia’s newest luxury lifestyle destination and Mornington Peninsula landmark The Continental (Sorrento).