Fruit & veg wholesaler AMJ Produce lodges creditor’s petition to bankrupt The Seasonal Garden Cafe owner Silvia Hart
The owner of a popular Adelaide Hills cafe and wedding venue is facing potential bankruptcy following a Federal Court order to wind up a company under her control.
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The owner of a popular Adelaide Hills cafe and wedding venue is facing potential bankruptcy following a Federal Court order to wind up a company under her control.
Liquidators have been appointed to Silvia Hart’s Maerhuev Pty Ltd after it failed to settle a statutory demand for payment of a $55,000 fruit & vegetable bill to Pooraka-based wholesaler AMJ Produce.
According to Federal Court documents, Maerhuev traded as The Seasonal Garden Cafe and Store with a principal place of business at 100 Main Rd, Hahndorf — the location of Ms Hart’s popular The Seasonal Garden Cafe.
However, this morning she reassured staff and customers, claiming the company operated cafes previously under her ownership, including at Norwood and Stirling.
Ms Hart is the sole director and shareholder of Maerhuev, and she does not have any other companies under her control, according to a search of the ASIC database.
“Maerhuev is completely separate to The Seasonal Garden Cafe in Hahndorf — they’re completely different entities,” Ms Hart told The Advertiser.
“The (Hahndorf) cafe does not operate under a corporate structure.
“There is no threat to weddings booked at the venue. The Hahndorf cafe is travelling really well but that’s not to say the negative publicity hasn’t been hard to take — but I’ve got a good solid team.”
In separate court action, AMJ Produce is taking steps to bankrupt Ms Hart through a creditor’s petition filed with the Federal Circuit Court.
The creditor’s petition will be heard on August 6, and is seeking a sequestration order against the estate of the businesswoman.
A sequestration order results in a person being declared bankrupt, which normally lasts for three years and prevents the individual from being a director or being involved in the management of a company.
AMJ Produce director Margy Abbot declined to comment on the bankruptcy matter, while Ms Hart said she was seeking legal advice.
AMJ Produce secured a judgment debt against Maerhuev on May 2 this year and launched a winding-up application after Ms Hart failed to comply with a statutory demand requiring she pay the $55,000 within 21 days of the court order.
Ms Hart, who was recognised by Primary Industries and Resources SA as a Food Ambassador for her sustainable ethos, expanded her business to include another Hahndorf outlet and branches in Stirling and Norwood.
She sold the Norwood branch this year while her daughter took over ownership and management of the Stirling branch and changed its name.
Last month an arrest warrant was issued against Ms Hart after she failed to attend a court hearing into a separate matter regarding unpaid wages.
KPMG’s Tim Mableson has been appointed liquidator of Maerhuev.