The City Winery chain, which had six locations in the city of Brisbane, has suddenly ceased operations and filed for voluntary liquidation.
The closures include the Edward St. and Fortitude Valley branches, as well as Ardo’s establishments in Graceville, Newstead, Hawthorne, and Milton.
Dave Cush, the company’s chief executive, told 9News that the business was going into liquidation due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the rising cost of living.
In a statement, he said he was devastated by the decision to close the businesses.
Due to the rising cost of living and the drastic decline in consumer spending, he said the company was unable to continue operating.
He also noted that the emergence of COVID-19 and the lockdowns in the city had affected his business.
The Star, which was recently opened in the CBD, was the “final nail in the coffin” of his business.
He noted that the Star’s opening at Queen’s Wharf was the “final nail in the coffin” of his business.
He offered his sincere apologies to the company’s clients and customers, and thanked them for supporting the business.
In 2019, Cush opened the company’s first location in Brisbane. A second location was also opened in the city’s Fortitude Valley.
The establishment was a functionary winery that provided event space and a restaurant for private functions.
Its flagship location was opened in 2023 in Newstead, and subsequent locations were opened in other areas of the city.
The staff members of the company had been terminated.
Darren Vardy of insolvency firm Insolvency Options was appointed as the liquidator of City Winery.