Iconic restaurant falls victim to hospitality crisis after it announces to shut down
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Melbourne's vibrant culinary scene has long been a source of pride for locals and a drawcard for tourists from across the globe.
However, the city's reputation for fine dining and eclectic eateries has taken a hit with the recent closure of Epocha, a beloved European restaurant nestled in the heart of Carlton's dining precinct.
After 12 years of serving up delectable dishes and creating cherished memories, Epocha has become the latest casualty in what is becoming an all-too-familiar story in Australia's hospitality crisis.
Epocha's closure announcement, which came as a shock to its loyal patrons, has sparked a wave of support and nostalgia.
The restaurant, run by the passionate duo Angie Giannakodakis and Guy Holder, was more than just a place to eat; it was a community hub that embodied the spirit of Melbourne's dining culture.
The news of its shutdown led to an outpouring of grief from supporters who had come to regard Epocha as a fixture of the city's social fabric.
The owners shared their heartache on social media, stating that they made the difficult decision to close their doors 'with a mix of heavy hearts and deep gratitude'.
‘Looking at what's happened (with the economy) in the last three to four years, it takes a lot of strength and courage to get through these things,' Giannakodakis said.
'I live in an industry where we're very good at altering things and we're very good at pivoting and we're very good at adjusting and change.’
'But the one thing that we can't do is (control) all the externalities, we can't change those things.'
One such externality was the fate of the building that housed Epocha. Following the death of the property's owner last year, his family's decision to sell left the restaurant's owners in a precarious position.
Unable to afford the purchase, Giannakodakis and Holder faced the hard truth that ’it was a wiser choice to close it now rather than allow it to go silent in the night’.
'Hopefully, in years to come, people will look back at this restaurant and go, "That was a restaurant. That's the definition of a good restaurant",’ Giannakodakis said.
The economic factors at play are not unique to Epocha. Rising costs, shrinking disposable incomes, and an increasingly competitive market have all contributed to the strain on Melbourne's restaurants.
Giannakodakis herself noted the impact of these factors on consumer behaviour, with people becoming more cautious about where they spend their money, seeking value for every dollar.
Despite the challenges, the spirit of Epocha lives on in the memories of its patrons and the philosophy of its owners.
‘Restaurants should be more about (having customers) looking at a dish and going, "I want to eat that. It's good for me. It's wholesome. It's gonna warm me. I need it",’ she said.
Giannakodakis's belief that a restaurant should offer more than just food—it should provide an 'essence of nourishment' that feeds the soul—is a testament to the role that dining establishments play in our lives.
Fans and customers of Epocha shared their thoughts on the announcement of closure.
'I reckon this hits me the hardest of all the recent closures across our great city and across the country,' one commenter wrote.
'Epocha (and Elyros) were like a beacon of hope and ambition on opening all these years ago now. So many great memories!’
'Don't give up, Angie Giannakodakis, you are one of our national treasures.'
Giannakodakis was 'truly grateful for all the messages that people have sent to us and also the comments from people who have replied to our post (online).'
'It's a little bit overwhelming. But at the same time, it's also great for the staff to see that (so) they do know that they work for a good restaurant,’ she added.
The joy of sharing a beautifully roasted chicken or a perfectly crafted dish goes beyond the plate; it's about the experience, the atmosphere, and the sense of community.
As the news of Epocha's closure spreads, the restaurant has seen a surge in bookings, with patrons eager to savour one last meal and bid farewell to a Melbourne institution.
The owners are now focused on ensuring that their final weeks are a celebration of the restaurant's legacy, a time for taking care of their customers and staff, and a time for looking ahead to the future.
Have you been to Epocha? What are your favourite dishes and memories shared in this restaurant? Share your stories and experiences in the comments below!
However, the city's reputation for fine dining and eclectic eateries has taken a hit with the recent closure of Epocha, a beloved European restaurant nestled in the heart of Carlton's dining precinct.
After 12 years of serving up delectable dishes and creating cherished memories, Epocha has become the latest casualty in what is becoming an all-too-familiar story in Australia's hospitality crisis.
Epocha's closure announcement, which came as a shock to its loyal patrons, has sparked a wave of support and nostalgia.
The restaurant, run by the passionate duo Angie Giannakodakis and Guy Holder, was more than just a place to eat; it was a community hub that embodied the spirit of Melbourne's dining culture.
Epocha’s owners announced they would shut down. Credit: @epocha_carlton / Instagram
The news of its shutdown led to an outpouring of grief from supporters who had come to regard Epocha as a fixture of the city's social fabric.
The owners shared their heartache on social media, stating that they made the difficult decision to close their doors 'with a mix of heavy hearts and deep gratitude'.
‘Looking at what's happened (with the economy) in the last three to four years, it takes a lot of strength and courage to get through these things,' Giannakodakis said.
'I live in an industry where we're very good at altering things and we're very good at pivoting and we're very good at adjusting and change.’
'But the one thing that we can't do is (control) all the externalities, we can't change those things.'
One such externality was the fate of the building that housed Epocha. Following the death of the property's owner last year, his family's decision to sell left the restaurant's owners in a precarious position.
Unable to afford the purchase, Giannakodakis and Holder faced the hard truth that ’it was a wiser choice to close it now rather than allow it to go silent in the night’.
'Hopefully, in years to come, people will look back at this restaurant and go, "That was a restaurant. That's the definition of a good restaurant",’ Giannakodakis said.
The economic factors at play are not unique to Epocha. Rising costs, shrinking disposable incomes, and an increasingly competitive market have all contributed to the strain on Melbourne's restaurants.
Giannakodakis herself noted the impact of these factors on consumer behaviour, with people becoming more cautious about where they spend their money, seeking value for every dollar.
Despite the challenges, the spirit of Epocha lives on in the memories of its patrons and the philosophy of its owners.
‘Restaurants should be more about (having customers) looking at a dish and going, "I want to eat that. It's good for me. It's wholesome. It's gonna warm me. I need it",’ she said.
Giannakodakis's belief that a restaurant should offer more than just food—it should provide an 'essence of nourishment' that feeds the soul—is a testament to the role that dining establishments play in our lives.
Fans and customers of Epocha shared their thoughts on the announcement of closure.
'I reckon this hits me the hardest of all the recent closures across our great city and across the country,' one commenter wrote.
'Epocha (and Elyros) were like a beacon of hope and ambition on opening all these years ago now. So many great memories!’
'Don't give up, Angie Giannakodakis, you are one of our national treasures.'
Giannakodakis was 'truly grateful for all the messages that people have sent to us and also the comments from people who have replied to our post (online).'
'It's a little bit overwhelming. But at the same time, it's also great for the staff to see that (so) they do know that they work for a good restaurant,’ she added.
The joy of sharing a beautifully roasted chicken or a perfectly crafted dish goes beyond the plate; it's about the experience, the atmosphere, and the sense of community.
As the news of Epocha's closure spreads, the restaurant has seen a surge in bookings, with patrons eager to savour one last meal and bid farewell to a Melbourne institution.
The owners are now focused on ensuring that their final weeks are a celebration of the restaurant's legacy, a time for taking care of their customers and staff, and a time for looking ahead to the future.
