This iconic venue calls it quits after 17 years—but why now?
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Community staples rarely close without leaving a ripple of shock and sadness, especially when they’ve been cherished for years.
What began as a quiet announcement quickly unfolded into a poignant end for one of Byron Bay’s most loved institutions.
The story behind this closure reveals the challenges faced by even the most celebrated establishments.
After 17 years of serving locals and visitors alike, an iconic Byron Bay restaurant and deli closed its doors just days before Christmas.
Harvest, nestled in the historic village of Newrybar in the Byron Bay hinterland, made the heartbreaking announcement last week.
A statement on its website revealed, ‘After many incredible years as the cornerstone of the Newrybar community, it is with profound sadness that we announced the closure of Harvest, effective from last Friday, 13 December.’
Rising costs—up by over 30% in recent years—along with compliance challenges and uncertainty about tenure were cited as the reasons behind the closure.
‘While it is hard to say goodbye, we're so grateful for all the memories and their special place in our community,’ the statement added.
The business assured customers with deposits for Christmas food orders, events, or weddings that they would be personally contacted to arrange refunds.
Harvest was much more than a restaurant. It included a fine dining space, a deli, a canteen, an organic garden, and a wedding reception venue, all built around a 121-year-old woodfire oven.
Tristan and Kassia Grier, who took over in 2007, transformed it from a casual café into a renowned culinary destination, drawing praise and customers from across the east coast.
The venue had humble beginnings. Originally a Queenslander-style house, it had served as a post office and general store during its 132-year history.
Mr Grier, originally from Sydney's Northern Beaches, brought his experience from ski resorts in Australia and Canada to the venture, seeking a lifestyle far removed from the cold.
‘I wanted to get away from the winter season but get the same holiday town feeling, so I thought Byron Bay was the exact opposite of snow,’ he shared.
He and his wife, Kassia, initially worked at the café to save money for their own restaurant.
Reflecting on their journey, he said, ‘The owner was very stressed, so we called a meeting with him one day and offered to run the place. But he said instead “Do you want to buy it?” We were 26 or 27, and we thought we wanted to do fine dining and be in Byron Bay among it all.’
The couple bought the business and turned it into the iconic destination it became, but despite its success, they were unable to sustain operations.
Customers expressed their sadness at the news on social media.
A Brisbane radio host, Robin Bailey, shared: ‘That is such devastating news. Having held my wedding there 17.11.2018 and my husband has subsequently died of cancer, our experience with you was one of my favorite and most treasured memories. It's so sad to hear why you are closing but new beginnings.’
Another wrote: ‘So sad… I absolutely loved dining up with you when in Byron. You created something so lovely, you will be so missed. Thank you.’
A third added, ‘Thank you for creating such a drawcard to our beautiful region.’
Harvest’s closure marked the end of an era, leaving locals and visitors with fond memories of its unique offerings and community spirit.
In a related story, we explored how rising costs and economic pressures have forced another local eatery to close, leaving its loyal patrons heartbroken. Read the full story here.
Has any of your favourite spots ever closed? Tell us the story in the comments below.
What began as a quiet announcement quickly unfolded into a poignant end for one of Byron Bay’s most loved institutions.
The story behind this closure reveals the challenges faced by even the most celebrated establishments.
After 17 years of serving locals and visitors alike, an iconic Byron Bay restaurant and deli closed its doors just days before Christmas.
Harvest, nestled in the historic village of Newrybar in the Byron Bay hinterland, made the heartbreaking announcement last week.
Harvest restaurant in Byron Bay closes after 17 years. Image source: @harvestnewrybar from Instagram
A statement on its website revealed, ‘After many incredible years as the cornerstone of the Newrybar community, it is with profound sadness that we announced the closure of Harvest, effective from last Friday, 13 December.’
Rising costs—up by over 30% in recent years—along with compliance challenges and uncertainty about tenure were cited as the reasons behind the closure.
‘While it is hard to say goodbye, we're so grateful for all the memories and their special place in our community,’ the statement added.
The business assured customers with deposits for Christmas food orders, events, or weddings that they would be personally contacted to arrange refunds.
Harvest was much more than a restaurant. It included a fine dining space, a deli, a canteen, an organic garden, and a wedding reception venue, all built around a 121-year-old woodfire oven.
Tristan and Kassia Grier, who took over in 2007, transformed it from a casual café into a renowned culinary destination, drawing praise and customers from across the east coast.
The venue had humble beginnings. Originally a Queenslander-style house, it had served as a post office and general store during its 132-year history.
Mr Grier, originally from Sydney's Northern Beaches, brought his experience from ski resorts in Australia and Canada to the venture, seeking a lifestyle far removed from the cold.
‘I wanted to get away from the winter season but get the same holiday town feeling, so I thought Byron Bay was the exact opposite of snow,’ he shared.
He and his wife, Kassia, initially worked at the café to save money for their own restaurant.
Reflecting on their journey, he said, ‘The owner was very stressed, so we called a meeting with him one day and offered to run the place. But he said instead “Do you want to buy it?” We were 26 or 27, and we thought we wanted to do fine dining and be in Byron Bay among it all.’
The couple bought the business and turned it into the iconic destination it became, but despite its success, they were unable to sustain operations.
Customers expressed their sadness at the news on social media.
A Brisbane radio host, Robin Bailey, shared: ‘That is such devastating news. Having held my wedding there 17.11.2018 and my husband has subsequently died of cancer, our experience with you was one of my favorite and most treasured memories. It's so sad to hear why you are closing but new beginnings.’
Another wrote: ‘So sad… I absolutely loved dining up with you when in Byron. You created something so lovely, you will be so missed. Thank you.’
A third added, ‘Thank you for creating such a drawcard to our beautiful region.’
Harvest’s closure marked the end of an era, leaving locals and visitors with fond memories of its unique offerings and community spirit.
In a related story, we explored how rising costs and economic pressures have forced another local eatery to close, leaving its loyal patrons heartbroken. Read the full story here.
Has any of your favourite spots ever closed? Tell us the story in the comments below.
