Manly Wharf: Justin Hemmes to close down his Chinese restaurant
Hospo industry giant Justin Hemmes is closing down one of his high-end waterfront eateries at a Sydney tourist hotspot.
NSW
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Sydney hospitality industry giant Justin Hemmes is closing down his high-end Chinese restaurant at Manly Wharf.
Hemmes’ Merivale company will shut the doors on its Queen Chow Manly eatery for the last time on August 5.
The restaurant, which opened in 2018, joins four other high-profile outlets giving up long terms leases to the Wharf’s new owners, the Artemus Group.
El Camino Cantina, Sake Restaurant & Bar, Betty’s Burgers and The Bavarian closed have all closed this year.
The closures come as Artemus, the expanding Brisbane-based hospitality company that paid $80m for the long-term leasehold of the wharf in mid-2023, opened its own restaurant and bar — Felons Seafood — in the former The Bavarian bar premises at the wharf in late June.
As part of a massive transformation of the wharf, it has already rebranded the Manly Wharf Bar, which it bought for $30m, to Felons Brewing Co.
Artemus is also redeveloping the site of the former Aldi supermarket into a microbrewery bar and diner. It bought the Hugos Manly eatery, on the west side of the wharf, in December for $20m.
It has been speculated that the space on the wharf’s first floor, which was used by El Camino and Sake, will be transformed into a function centre.
In a statement, Merivale advised that “after seven amazing years on Manly Wharf, Queen Chow Manly will close its doors on Tuesday, August 5, to allow for the broader redevelopment of Manly Wharf”.
“Since opening in 2018, Queen Chow Manly has become a beloved part of the Manly community — a local favourite, and a destination for Sydney diners and tourists,” the statement read.
“Merivale … has extended heartfelt thanks to the local community for its unwavering support.”
Merivale also confirmed it would seek to find jobs for Queen Chow staff at its other hospitality outlets.
On the northern beaches, Merivale operates The Newport and The Collaroy hotels.
In a statement Atremus thanked Merivale and Queen Chow for “being a part of the Manly Wharf community”.
“We look forward to continuing to breathe new life into Manly Wharf and creating a safe, inclusive and beautiful space for all to enjoy.”
Artemus co-founder, Adam Flaskas, previously told this masthead that he wanted to make the area more inviting for locals, commuters and tourists by “revitalising the waterfront precinct into a premium hospitality destination, creating a thriving community and cultural hub for kids and families to grown-ups and everything in between”.
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Originally published as Manly Wharf: Justin Hemmes to close down his Chinese restaurant
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