Major restaurant chain closes 6 locations and shutting all venues
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The Brisbane dining scene was left reeling as the beloved City Winery Brisbane Pty Ltd, a major player with six bustling locations, abruptly announced its closure, plunging into voluntary liquidation.
This sudden shutdown has shocked Queensland's capital, leaving patrons and employees in disbelief.
City Winery, a name synonymous with culinary innovation and a vibrant atmosphere, opened its doors only five years ago and quickly became a staple for food enthusiasts.
Its diverse locations, including Fortitude Valley and Edward St, along with Ardo’s eateries in Newstead, Milton, Hawthorne, and Graceville, were all part of the City Winery's impressive portfolio, which is now, regrettably, no more.
City Winery CEO Dave Cush expressed his profound sorrow over the closure, saying he was 'heartbroken' to make an ‘incredibly difficult decision’. He also detailed the reasons that led to the closure of the business.
‘A drastic drop in consumer spending fuelled by the current cost of living and interest rate environment, coupled with increases in labour and operational costs, have all had too great of a compounding impact on our business, along with the historical effects of COVID and lockdowns, for us to continue to operate,’ he said.
Adding to the company's woes, Cush pointed to the recent opening of The Star, a large-scale operation, as the 'final nail' for City Winery.
The closure has led to the termination of numerous staff members. Darren Vardy from Insolvency Options Pty Ltd has been appointed as the liquidator, tasked with navigating the complex process of winding down the company's affairs.
City Winery's journey began in 2019 with the launch of its first venue, a converted warehouse on Wandoo St, which offered unique winemaking masterclasses.
It marked the return of an inner-city winery to Brisbane for the first time since 1860, a historical revival that was met with much fanfare.
A second location soon followed on Edward St, and in 2023, Ardo’s expanded with four additional venues.
Cush extended his ‘heartfelt apologies’ and gratitude to the loyal customers who had supported City Winery over the years.
'You’re the reason we kept going as long as we could,' he said, acknowledging the dedication of patrons who had become part of the City Winery family.
‘I’m deeply sorry and distraught at the impact this has caused on your businesses.’
This story comes as another popular Aussie brand is set to close its standalone stores around the story, impacting several jobs.
The closure decision aligned with a shift towards concessions and online retail. You can read more about the story here.
Did you have a favourite dish or a special moment at one of their locations? How do you think the dining landscape in Brisbane will change with this departure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
This sudden shutdown has shocked Queensland's capital, leaving patrons and employees in disbelief.
City Winery, a name synonymous with culinary innovation and a vibrant atmosphere, opened its doors only five years ago and quickly became a staple for food enthusiasts.
Its diverse locations, including Fortitude Valley and Edward St, along with Ardo’s eateries in Newstead, Milton, Hawthorne, and Graceville, were all part of the City Winery's impressive portfolio, which is now, regrettably, no more.
City Winery has announced the closure of all its six locations. Credit: @citywinertbne / Instagram
City Winery CEO Dave Cush expressed his profound sorrow over the closure, saying he was 'heartbroken' to make an ‘incredibly difficult decision’. He also detailed the reasons that led to the closure of the business.
‘A drastic drop in consumer spending fuelled by the current cost of living and interest rate environment, coupled with increases in labour and operational costs, have all had too great of a compounding impact on our business, along with the historical effects of COVID and lockdowns, for us to continue to operate,’ he said.
Adding to the company's woes, Cush pointed to the recent opening of The Star, a large-scale operation, as the 'final nail' for City Winery.
The closure has led to the termination of numerous staff members. Darren Vardy from Insolvency Options Pty Ltd has been appointed as the liquidator, tasked with navigating the complex process of winding down the company's affairs.
City Winery's journey began in 2019 with the launch of its first venue, a converted warehouse on Wandoo St, which offered unique winemaking masterclasses.
It marked the return of an inner-city winery to Brisbane for the first time since 1860, a historical revival that was met with much fanfare.
A second location soon followed on Edward St, and in 2023, Ardo’s expanded with four additional venues.
Cush extended his ‘heartfelt apologies’ and gratitude to the loyal customers who had supported City Winery over the years.
'You’re the reason we kept going as long as we could,' he said, acknowledging the dedication of patrons who had become part of the City Winery family.
‘I’m deeply sorry and distraught at the impact this has caused on your businesses.’
This story comes as another popular Aussie brand is set to close its standalone stores around the story, impacting several jobs.
The closure decision aligned with a shift towards concessions and online retail. You can read more about the story here.
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