Cairns business: 22 traders that have closed for good in 2021
The pandemic has meant a super tough year for Far North small business. Though new business registrations have increased this year many ventures have fallen victim to the Covid crisis.
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DESPITE an international traveller lockout and a year plagued by border uncertainty there has been consistent new business growth since the pandemic forever reshaped the Far North business landscape in early 2020.
According to the Australian Business Register there were an estimated 13,750 total GST registered businesses in the Cairns Regional Council area at the end of the June 2021 quarter.
There were 381 new businesses, however there have been some major scalps claimed – including Fasta Pasta and Outback Jacks – among the 207 GST business cancellations in the same quarter.
Cairns CBD tour and food businesses feature heavily in a rundown of Cairns-based ventures that have ceased to trade in within the past 12 months.
But since the pandemic began to impact travel freedoms in March 2020 the number of Cairns GST registered business has increased from 13,171 to 13,750 up until the end of the June quarter.
Queensland Government small business mentor Jeff Rufino is in contact with hundreds of small business proprietors each month offering owners expert advice.
He said despite growth in GST registered business names he had noticed a significant downturn.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” he said.
“A lot of people have slowed down their advertising, I feel they are waiting and seeing what will happen in 2022.
“A lot of these small business could not stay open with JobKeeper support, a drop in foot traffic in the CBD (has been a factor) and keeping staff has been a struggle.
“A lot of these smaller family operated businesses are locally supported where the high traffic restaurants like Outback Jacks will be replaced as they are really sought after (CBD) locations.
“The demand will definitely come back, I am bullish and optimistic about the future.”
The former Outback Jacks tenancy on Abbott St is currently offered for lease through Knight Frank Cairns and letting of the former Fasta Pasta franchise is being handled by Property Now. New tenants are yet to be announced at both shopfronts.
Cairns business closures in 2021
Fasta Pasta, Cairns CBD
Adelaide-based Italian restaurant chain Fasta Pasta operates 19 outlets Australia-wide. Valentino La Vista had part owned the Sheridan St outlet for 30 years before its collapse in September.
Outback Jacks, Cairns CBD
After closing in late 2018 Outback Jacks on Abbott St reopened in November 2019 before closing again in midway through this year.
The Cairns Outback Jacks restaurant on a prime CBD corner lease, owned by Phuong Nguyen, was included in a major national rebrand before closing a second time.
Cairns Haematology and Oncology Clinic
The Upward St clinic closed following the death of well-known Cairns oncology stalwart Dr Dr Andrew Shearer. The certified day hospital in the Cairns CBD is currently up for lease through the @Realty group.
Backpackers World Travel, Cairns CBD
Backpackers World Travel on Lake St in the Cairns CBD has displayed a “temporarily closed” notice. The shopfront is now up for lease through Cairns Commercial Property.
Travelbugs, Cairns CBD
Booking agent Travel Bugs on Shields St is now vacant with to let signs hanging in the window.
Collins Booksellers Smithfield
Owners of Collins Booksellers Smithfield, Andrew and Kerstin Brown retired after 33 years in business. Unable to find a buyer for the Smithfield Shopping Centre shop the outlet is now permanently closed.
Habaneros, The Pier, Cairns CBD
The waterfront restaurant opened in April after owners John Mason and Brad Cox competed a major refit of the waterfront tenancy.
However four months later in August the business was “temporarily closed.”
All liquor and chattels have been stripped from the dormant restaurant which is yet to reopen.
Excel Fresh, Cairns Central
In March, Excel Fresh in the Cairns Central shopping centre suddenly closed after being open for four months.
Owner Nagesh Joshi said the shop didn’t trade as well as expected and he was forced to shut the business down.
Big Al’s Farmers Club took over the tenancy but has since been listed as “permanently closed” by Google.
Ala Turka, Cairns CBD
The traditional Turkish restaurant closed earlier this year. Opening at the space in November Copper Bar and Grill was the realisation of a lifelong dream of businessman Mazhar Ahmed.
Sassi Shoe Boutique, Cairns CBD
Sassi Shoe Boutique at 82 Grafton St after 15 years of trading in the CBD closed it doors for good just over 12 months ago. The CBD business is now permanently closed.
Zipangu restaurant, Port Douglas
Port Douglas Japanese restaurant Zipangu closed in February after trading for nine years. Owners Masae and Jimmy Iwagishi said it was with a heavy heart they called time on the Davidson Street shop.
On The Inlet restaurant, Port Douglas
Covid uncertainty and staff shortages were the reason cited by On The Inlet owners Alison Diamond and Geoff Parmenter who closed the restaurant in April. Mr Parmenter said after 19 years at the helm “it is pretty sad, but you can only do what you can do?”
Country Target, Port Douglas
The Port Douglas Target outlet closed in February before reopening as a Kmart K hub site about three weeks later.
The major overhaul came after Wesfarmers made the announcement in May 2020.
Cairns Central Plaza Doctors
The clinic announced their permanent closure to patients in October. Parent company Fullerton Health did not respond to a Cairns Post request for information on the closure
Lone Star Rib House, Smithfield
Lone Star Rib House in the Smithfield Shopping Centre closed earlier this year after the business opened in 2017. There have been whispers of an entertainment type business moving into the shop vacated by Lone Star but nothing has been announced.
Buffalos, Smithfield
American-style chicken wings outlet Buffalos and partner business Sweet Stampede shut up shop for good in 2021. The tenancy was taken over by new business That Good Place operated by Rise and Bake owners Mika Schliesser and Sabrina Miers.
Fusion Art Bar and Tapas, Cairns CBD
Fusion Art Bar and Tapas opened on Spence St was opened by local artist Iefje Boissevain in 2006.
The restaurant, wine bar that also operated as an art gallery before closing its doors for good earlier this year.
Universal Joint, Cairns CBD
Though stock remains in the Indigenous artefact business Universal Joint on Shields St, signs in the window advertise the property for lease.
Sprout Baby Co, Cairns CBD
Sprout Baby Co was opened in March 2019 by Danielle Rea to deliver essential products and a personalised service to mothers.
The business has since closed and is now offered for lease through CBRE Cairns.
Reject Shop, Smithfield
On December 24 the Smithfield Reject Shop closed its doors for the last time after opening in 2016.
Three other Reject Shops still operate in Cairns, at the Civic Centre, Sheridan St, Stockland Earlville and at Mount Sheridan Plaza.
Hairdressers Unite, Port Douglas and Holloways Beach
In March Crystal Maclennan from HU Hairdressers Unite called time on the Macrossan St salon after nine years in business. She blamed the pandemic for the closure that had made running a small business “very stressful and mentally challenging”
Okey Dokey Tours, Orchid Plaza
Travel agent Okey Dokey Tours in the Cairns CBD has closed. In December Ray White Commercial Cairns offered the vacant ground floor tenancy for lease at a “very reasonable” price.
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Originally published as Cairns business: 22 traders that have closed for good in 2021
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