Popular Red Door Bakery at Croydon closes, blaming years of Torrens to Torrens roadworks
A POPULAR suburban bakery that once had three outlets employing dozens of staff has announced on social media it is closing down — and blames the Torrens to Torrens project.
A POPULAR suburban bakery that once had three outlets employing dozens of staff has announced on social media it is closing down — and blames the former state government’s Torrens to Torrens project for its demise.
Red Door Bakery has operated on Elizabeth St in Croydon for almost nine years, with its owners, Gareth and Emma Grierson, also opening a pizza shop next door, Croydon Social.
The couple say they’ve been forced to shut up both eateries, laying blame firmly at the feet of ongoing disruptions caused by the Torrens to Torrens roadwork project, and referring the “blood, sweat and tears” they’ve invested into their businesses.
Other Red Door Bakery outlets in the city and Hyde Park have also closed, with the eastern suburbs venue shutting up shop this week and the CBD store about 18 months ago.
“It is with a heavy heart that we will be placing Red Door Bakery & Croydon Social in the hands of liquidators,” the couple wrote on Facebook.
“We would like to take the time to thank the local community who have supported us over the past eight years.
“To our regular customers who have found their way through the maze of road works over the past three years to remain part of our community and our loyal customers, we thank you.
“To our wonderful employees, both shop and kitchen staff, thanks for the smiles, the hard work and being part of our family.
“Sorry it had to end this way … people change habits when they can’t get access and it’s hard to get them back.”
It comes as popular Goodwood bakery Boulangerie 113 closes as well.
Speaking to The Advertiser late yesterday, Mr Grierson who has lived in Adelaide for 16 years and has four children aged eight to 16, said it was vital for governments to rethink how major capital works projects are approached, saying potential impacts on small businesses must be considered upfront and compensation considered.
“The previous government promised us we’d be better off … the spin ahead of the election was pretty disgusting,” he said.
“Small business is the backbone of this state yet the support you get is non existent.”
Within an hour of Red Door Bakery’s post being published, it had been shared dozens of times and attracted hundreds of comments.
“Well, this just plain sucks. Sorry to hear it,” wrote one.
“No! This is devastating news! I will be so sad to see you leave and disappointed you didn’t get the support you should have,” posted another.
The couple say theirs is just the latest in a series of local business to have been driven to the brink.
In a statement issued yesterday Mr Grierson said the business had been successful before the roadworks, estimating turnover has fallen 40 per cent year on year for the past three years.
“The disruption to our Red Door Bakery and pizza restaurant at Croydon meant we were relying on our other outlets to hold up the group. This was not sustainable.
“We are not the first buisness to collapse as a result of the South Rd works and while I hope we will be the last, I don’t think that will be the case.”
In “one last rant” on Facebook the couple wrote: “When governments undertake capital works there is a real need to take into consideration small business, in the three years of the T2T project we have seen many local businesses close as a result.”
The couple, whose business was celebrated for its high-quality artisan products, also questions why the former State Labor Government gave Pirate Life Brewing $2 million early this year to help the multinational brewer build a planned $15 million bar and brewery at Port Adelaide, while ignoring small business.
“My point is they could justify this spending but don’t look to protect small business when there are capital works projects that rip the heart out of a business and the community,” the couple write.
“We have poured our blood, sweat and tears into our business, we employ 30 people, why don’t their jobs count?
“They pay tax and are active members of society, why is no thought put in to protecting them during these major projects, I ask again don’t they count?”
Nearby Queen St cafe owner Mark Kuerschner said he was shocked and saddened to hear of the closures.
He said the businesses had been closed all week and he wondered what was happening.
Mr Kuerschner opened his cafe five years ago and says business has been “up and down” in the past few years.
He says he is worried people will be put off visiting the area due to large number of vacant businesses.
“I think everyone is a little worried at the moment about what is happening to this street,” he said.
The Griersons say they’ve previously sold their home in a bid to save their business due to growing debt.
“We are going to miss seeing the local kids grow up eating gingerbread, the mums who meet up before and after the school drop off, seeing the kids after basketball or football stop by for a pie while all the parents grab coffee and recover from Saturday night, the ‘pielattes’ (pilates) ladies, the lunchtime tradies, the locals chatting out the front and the morning coffee crew.
“We are grateful for the friendships we have made. Thanks for having us as part of your community we will miss you all.”
And so, it seems, will the community.
Kim Gilchrist’s comment summing up the sentiment of many: “Oh no! You and your beautiful bakery have been such a daily staple for us and (has) provided me with coffee, delicious goodies, and more importantly, a place of sanity when being home with a baby was sending me crazy. We Love you guys and are sending you a huge hug.”
The Red Door Bakery group has been placed into liquidation with debts of about $200,000.
Liquidator Nick Cooper of Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants said he would be looking to sell the Red Door Bakery brand and all equipment, inviting interested parties to make contact.
The Advertiser has sought comment from the Government and Opposition.