Gouger Street restaurant and bar Super Bueno set to close its doors, owners blame Central Market redevelopment

The Central Market redevelopment, including the loss of carparks, and rent increases have been blamed for a Gouger Street restaurant’s impending closure.

A Gouger Street restaurant has been forced to close with its owners claiming the Central Market redevelopment is causing a “significant downturn” in business.

Pasta and wine bar Super Bueno, from hospitality entrepreneur Hugo Pedler, will shut its doors for good on Christmas Eve after two years of trade.

Mr Pedler, Penny Hospitality managing director, said the impending closure of Super Bueno was unavoidable given the circumstances, including increased rent, delays with the $400m redevelopment of the Central Market Arcade and demolition of carpark space.

Major construction work on the project – a joint venture between Melbourne developer ICD Property and the Adelaide City Council – will not begin until next year.

“With the market upgrade completion still 3-4 years away, we are afraid that Super Bueno will not last,” said Mr Pedler.

“We have also had unreasonable rent increases since the start of the year – it has almost doubled, which has unfortunately forced our hand to close this great venue.”

A dish from Gouger St restaurant Super Bueno. Picture: Instagram

Gouger St restaurant Super Bueno is closing its doors this week. Picture: Instagram

Latest estimates say the first stage of the project, including the office component and first-stage apartments, are due for completion in 2025, ahead of a new retail offering and hotel in 2026.

Construction on the arcade was halted last month following the discovery of asbestos during demolition work.

The Central Market UPark has lost up to 260 bays due to the arcade redevelopment, which involves demolishing the existing building between the Central Market and Hilton Adelaide Hotel.

The council’s city services director, Tom McCready, said they added “well over” 100 parking spaces through the UPark on nearby Andrew St to support the market district during the development.

“The UPark team ensures as much parking as possible is made available each day and has recognised the importance of parking availability during the construction of Market Square,” he said.

Penny Hospitality’s Hugo Pedler. Picture Emma Brasier.

A dish from Gouger St restaurant Super Bueno. Picture: Instagram

Adelaide Central Market chair Theo Maras said market stallholders were trading “really strongly”, with growing visitation and 100 per cent of stalls leased.

“We are expecting a bumper Christmas trade this year, and we are confident customer demand and visitation will remain strong throughout the festive season and into the New Year,” he said.

Mr Pedler, whose other businesses include the General Havelock Hotel and Paper Tiger on Rundle St, said it was “really disappointing” to see Super Bueno and several other Adelaide hospitality venues close.

“Other great hospitality venues across the state have also recently closed their doors, like Crack Kitchen, Summertown Astrologist and Maximilian’s in the Adelaide Hills, and it’s really disappointing to see,” he said.

“Super Bueno is a great loss for Gouger Street area, and we are incredibly sad to see it go.”