Gourmet Brisbane food retailer Mercado’s shock closure

It was launched as Australia’s answer to the coveted Harrods Food Hall, but Brisbane gourmet retailer Mercado has suddenly shut its doors, plagued by major issues.

Gourmet food precinct Mercado in Bowen Hills has suddenly closed. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

IT WAS launched as Australia’s answer to Harrods’ Food Hall, but just six months after opening, Brisbane gourmet retailer Mercado has suddenly shut its doors.

Investors in the multimillion-dollar shop in Bowen Hills’ popular King St are believed to have pulled the pin, forcing the shock closure of the lavish outlet, which included a butcher, baker, bottle shop, fishmonger, patisserie and two restaurants.

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A sign in the window reads: “Please accept our apologies, but due to a water leak we have to close our store until problem (sic) is fully solved. We understand any inconvenience it may cause to our customers and we will make sure proper actions will be in place. Regards, Management team.”

Note in Mercado window.

Staff said there were many issues plaguing the business and if it did reopen, it would not be for at least a week.

Staff were also seen saying their goodbyes, leaving with produce and alcohol, including Bollinger champagne.

Two Department of Fisheries officers were also spotted inside inspecting the site.

The venue boasted a $10 million fit-out designed to emulate that of London’s Harrods Food Hall and Lafayette Gourmet in Paris.

Brisbane's most luxurious and expensive supermarket, Mercado, in Bowen Hills. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

A second Mercado was also planned for the Gold Coast’s Marina Mirage shopping centre and others for interstate and overseas. No word as yet on their fate.

The Courier-Mail has not been able to reach management despite multiple calls.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast restaurant O’Sushi Broadbeach has collapsed while the future of its sister store at Coolangatta is uncertain, as staff and others chase debts of more than $500,000.

Owner Sakura Catering Pty Ltd went into administration on April 30 owing $530,678.50, according to documents lodged with ASIC.

The Broadbeach store’s Instagram page and landing page on the O’Sushi website have been removed and the restaurant is also listed as closed on TripAdvisor.

It comes after a flurry of closures on the Gold Coast,, including two in the past week of That Italian Place in Chevron Island, as well as Cicchetti at Isle of Capri.

Sakura’s liquidators are unsure whether any money will be returned to creditors, with liquidator Jason Bettles of Worrells finding the company had assets of just $26,865.

Mr Bettles could not be contacted this week.