Dundees pulls out of Cairns Aquarium and Squires Loft revealed as replacement
The end-of-an era has come for one of the city’s premier CBD dining venues as the Cairns Aquarium reveals a new player and the Far North’s first “steak specialist” outlet as a replacement.
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The end-of-an era has come for one of the city’s premier CBD dining venues as the Cairns Aquarium reveals a new player and the Far North’s first Squires Loft as a replacement.
In 2019, following the shock departure of the AquaLuna from the sprawling restaurant tenancy popular waterfront restaurant Dundees signed a deal to operate at the Cairns Aquarium.
Now the hugely popular seafood restaurant and local favourite has called time on its second premises.
A farewell to Dundees at the aquarium party this weekend will be a chance to celebrate all the good memories created during the past six and half months.
Venue general manager Tina Wort said business partner Gary Low retiring from the day-to-day running of the restaurant and unsustainable outgoings meant a decision to focus on the original waterfront venue was not hard to make.
“Our overheads got too much and it just became a no-brainer not to renew the lease,” she said.
The Dundees executive team made up of Ms Wort, partner and executive chef James Wort, and parents Paul and Marion Wright will now channel all their energy into the Dundees on the Waterfront.
Extended opening hours from July 29 will mean the Harbour Lights boardwalk restaurant will be open from 11.30am as well as lunch and dinner service.
“It’s our home and we’re going back.,” she said.
“I’m very excited about taking our team to the waterfront and we will be open for lunch and dinner all day.
“But there is a bit of sadness, if the overheads weren’t so astronomical, it is a great venue and we have had a lot of fun and a lot of great memories but we want to put our energy into the waterfront and make it bigger and better.”
After 40 years on the floor of Dundees, Mr Low said his career as a Cairns restaurateur had been the greatest privilege of his life.
“Thanks for all the memories, the conversations and the support. It’s been an honour,” he said.
Cairns’ first Squires Loft outlet will take over the lease after Cairns Aquarium co-owner Daniel Leipnik secured a Far North franchise of the Melbourne-based steakhouse chain.
On Sunday a ticketed last splash event will go ahead at the Florence St restaurant from 12.30pm.
There will be a live set from Cairns DJ Glenn W, along with unlimited roaming canapes and a three-hour drink package for $95
Plus, a few surprise moments, giveaways and a heartfelt group toast to send things off properly has been promised.
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Originally published as Dundees pulls out of Cairns Aquarium and Squires Loft revealed as replacement
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