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The team behind a swanky Brisbane restaurant is considering options for a new name after a court order sparked by a trademark dispute with an interstate restaurant giant. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP
Entertainment
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Swanky Brisbane steakhouse and Italian restaurant Establishment 203 has revealed it will not appeal a verdict handed down in Federal Court ordering it to change its name after losing a trademark battle with a Sydney restaurant giant.
In February, the company owned by hospitality tsar Justin Hemmes, behind Sydney’s Merivale group of restaurants, bars and clubs, launched an intellectual property case against Fortitude Valley’s Establishment 203, claiming its name was too similar to their Sydney bar Establishment, which Hemmes has owned since the late ‘90s.
Despite the Brisbane restaurant arguing its name was derived from its parent company’s beef business, which includes a Grantham abattoir with the establishment number 203, Justice Ian Jackman awarded the court case in Hemmes’ favour.
The Ann St restaurant now has 30 days to change its name, with insiders revealing owner Brendan Menegazzo and his team are currently workshopping suitable alternatives.
INFLUENCER’S MOVE AFTER BOYFRIEND JAILED CATCHES FOLLOWERS OFF-GUARD
Gold Coast influencer Kate Szepanowski has made a surprising return to Instagram following a 15-month break, after her boyfriend, Jordan Roman Brennan, 31, was jailed on drugs charges.
Szepanowski, 29, who went silent on social media in June 2023, reappeared this week, catching her followers off-guard.
Her return marks a stark contrast to the quiet life she’s led since May, when she was photographed outside Brisbane Supreme Court supporting Brennan during his sentencing.
Brennan, 31, was handed an 11-year prison sentence, with a non-parole period of five-and-a-half years, for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported drugs.
The case revolved around a 2020 scheme to recover 48kg of cocaine from a shipping container at the Port of Brisbane.
While Szepanowski and her family — including influencer Chloe Szepanowski and YouTuber Mitch Orval — were not involved in Brennan’s criminal activities, the ongoing legal saga has cast a shadow over her once-glamorous image.
TEN’S ALL-FEMALE NEWS LINE-UP
In a groundbreaking move for Queensland media, 10 News First has announced Veronica Eggleton as its new sport presenter, joining Sharyn Ghidella and Liz Cantor to form the station’s first all female presenting team.
Eggleton’s on-air debut on Monday, will mark the first time a female trio has led the 5pm bulletin in the network’s history.
Eggleton (right) brings an impressive resume to the desk, having covered eight State of Origin series, NRL grand finals, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“After coming ‘off the bench’ to present for much of my career, I’m excited to be part of the starting side,” she said.
“Sharyn and Liz are a powerhouse line-up to join.”
Reflecting on the changing role of women in sports journalism, Eggleton noted: “Women bring a different perspective and there’s value in that. Thankfully, I think the days of women in sport being a novelty are over. You only have to look at the juggernaut that is the Matildas to know how much that has shifted. To me, sport is a universal language and can speak to everyone.”
Ghidella, who recently joined 10 News First as part of its return to Brisbane studios, expressed her excitement over Eggleton’s appointment. “Her wealth of knowledge and experience in this area, will mean our viewers get the best possible sports coverage as we go to air each night,” Ghidella (above) said.
“In a sports-mad state like Queensland, we know our viewers are really going to love having a specialist sports presenter delivering them this information, each weeknight.”
Eggleton’s first bulletin will air on Monday at 5pm on 10 News First Queensland.
MARK WAHLBERG’S BRUSH WITH QLD CRIME FIGURE
TV personality Liz Cantor wasn’t the only starstruck Gold Coaster to get a selfie with visiting Hollywood heavyweight Mark Wahlberg this week – he also unwittingly posed for a photo with a notorious crime figure.
Jade Lacey, who with brother Dionne spent years behind bars for offences including a drug-related fatal shooting and is fighting fresh drug charges, was snapped alongside Wahlberg at The Langham hotel in Surfers Paradise where he’s reportedly shacked up in the luxurious Chairman’s Ocean Suite while filming his new comedy, Balls Up, on the Glitter Strip.
Lacey posted a pic to social media of him and Wahlberg next to The Langham’s famous flower-filled phone box in the hotel lobby.
“@markwahlberg popped up on the GC discussing future movie roles he may have for me as a future movie star … haha jokes … few laughs!” he captioned the pic.
“He did jail time too, believe it or not … 45 days. What a gentleman! Look at him now.”
Wahlberg, who had a troubled upbringing, did indeed do jail time after pleading guilty as a teenager to the felony assault of a Vietnamese American. He was sentenced to three months’ jail but served 45 days.
In 2016, Wahlberg said he had apologised to his victim, Johnny Trinh, “for those horrific acts” and Trinh released a statement forgiving him.
Jade Lacey was released from prison in 2018 after serving 11-and-a-half years in maximum security for a string of serious crimes including the 2007 killing of landscape gardener Kevin Palmer, who was shot dead at his Nerang unit after an argument with Dionne.
He has sought to reinvent himself since finishing parole in 2022, establishing businesses to sell luxury jewellery and watches including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
His brother was released from jail last year in Victoria, where he was transferred to complete his sentence.
Cantor, Channel 10’s weather presenter, also posed for a pic with Wahlberg this week when she and other media personalities bumped into him at The Langham.
OUTFOXING HIS RIVALS?
The Block judge Marty Fox is making waves with the launch of his White Fox real estate agency’s first Brisbane office, located in a prime spot at 1 James Street, Fortitude Valley.
The opening has caused quite a stir with a string of excited young fans jumping up and down on their way to nearby schools – thinking it was the first ever Brisbane storefront for viral wildly successful fashion store White Fox Boutique.
The eBay store turned wildly successful fashion house is a favourite with Gen Alpha, whose parents now know Marty Fox has set up here. Not a bad result for someone looking to take on the super competitive real estate market in Brisbane.
It’s understood his entry is being watched closely by the local industry to see what impact his star power has on the listings supply chain. And they’d be reminded of it every time a tween walks by with WHITE FOX embossed on their oversized $85 hoodies.
FASHION OFFERING AT EXCLUSIVE BRISBANE EVENT
Want to own a piece of clothing once worn by admired fashionista and former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce? How about something from Brisbane style doyenne Di Cant or philanthropist and business mogul Cathie Reid?
Well that’s what’s on offer at this year’s Labels on the Lawn event on October 13.
The prized annual charity fundraiser sees some of Queensland’s most well-dressed women – and a few men – donate beloved items from their wardrobe to be sold to raise money for Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
That could mean anything from a Chanel bag to a Burberry coat or a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, or items from the three ultra chic aforementioned ladies. Generous local retailers have also joined in on the fundraising, with Astille Designs, White Label Noba, Samantha Ogilvie Boutique, Little Black Dress Shop and Binny all putting forward brand new pieces for sale.
The ticketed shopping event hopes to raise more than $200,000, with those attending including Brisbane Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner, star curator Alison Kubler and radio host Robin Bailey.
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