Full list: Fraser Coast business collapses, openings and closures
The business landscape on the Fraser Coast is forever changing, with new businesses opening their doors, some closing and others going into liquidation owing millions. These are the most recent collapses, openings and closures.
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While commercial and retail activity has boomed on the Fraser Coast with more than a dozen businesses opening in the region in recent months, some local businesses struggled to stay afloat.
Between staff shortages and a pandemic, some of these businesses made the tough decision to close for good.
The Fraser Coast Chronicle put the call out to readers about which local businesses they would like to see return to the region.
From 130 comments, the most popular response was Target, which left Stockland Shopping Centre in early 2021.
Discount supermarket chain Fresh & Save moved into the space in August 2021.
Some readers also said they would like to see Crossroads, Yo-Get-It, Vinyard, Coast Restaurant & Bar and Harris Scarfe return to the region.
More Kmart stores, particularly in Maryborough, ice skating rinks, drive-in theatres and Toy World were some other businesses readers would like to see open.
Here is a list of business collapses, openings and closures on the Fraser Coast in recent years.
The Tangy Pickle Restaurant & Bar
Despite Hervey Bay’s The Tangy Pickle Restaurant & Bar only opening in April 2022, it has now closed.
The American-barbecue-meets modern-Australian cuisine was the first of its kind to arrive on the Fraser Coast.
When it arrived in Hervey Bay, it was a hit with locals, with a 4.4 star rating on Google and 39 reviews.
While not all reviews were positive, the majority complimented the restaurant on its menu options and service.
“Fantastic new restaurant, a great asset to Torquay,” one review read.
“Awesome food and fantastic, friendly service,” another review said.
The restaurant, which was located at 473 the Esplanade, took over the space formerly occupied by Seaside Cafe at The Beach Motel.
Kefi on the Bay
Hervey Bay’s Greek restaurant Kefi on the Bay, which was located at 341 the Esplanade in Scarness, closed suddenly in May 2022.
The restaurant announced its closure on social media on May 1.
“Kefi by the Bay has been sold! We would like to thank all our regular and loyal customers that have supported us from the day we opened,” the post said.
“We have made many friendships along the way and we appreciate the support shown to us by our customers throughout the past year and a half of trading.
“Sadly though it’s time to call it in and say goodbye to our customers and cozy little cafe with a view.”
South African restaurant Potjie Pot took over the space, starting trade on May 16.
It is run by Jakob Vogel and his wife Wilma, who also owns two other stores in Hervey Bay and Maryborough, which sell South African liquor, food and spices.
TKs Seafood & Takeaway
TKs Seafood & Takeaway opened in Hervey Bay in March 2021.
Owners Toby and Kristie Jack spent four months and many long nights working hard to bring the store to life in preparation for its opening at 424 the Esplanade, Torquay Esplanade.
The space has now been taken over by new fish and chips shop Seaside Takeaway Hervey Bay which opened on November 1, 2022.
Wide Bay Food Services
Fraser Coast catering company Wide Bay Food Services Pty Ltd, collapsed in 2022, owing more than $200,000 to creditors.
The collapse of the business, which traded as The Village Caterer and Vegies 2 U, came only two years after it was reinvented in 2020.
It changed hands in July 2020.
According to a report released by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, the catering company voluntarily wound up on February 23, 2022.
Maryborough’s Lounge 1868
The business behind Maryborough’s Lounge 1868 nightclub, Kleinberg and Eagle Pty Ltd, voluntarily wound up this year.
According to documents lodged with the ASIC, the company behind the nightclub was carrying a debt of about $480,600 at the time of its collapse.
An inability to cover the cost of repairs to the heritage-listed building, which was originally Maryborough’s Customs House Hotel, was revealed as a key reason behind the liquidation of its former owners of almost 15 years.
Kleinberg & Eagle Pty Ltd owned the Wharf St nightclub before selling the building to new owners in November 2021.
The company’s director, Daniela Orelova, had previously told The Fraser Coast Chronicle that Covid was not the cause of Lounge 1868’s closure, but rather other factors like skyrocketing insurance costs, alcohol, repair works and the general running of the bar.
Miles Electrical
Miles Electrical went into liquidation in November 2021, owing more than $2.3 million to creditors.
The electrical company worked on some of the Fraser Coast’s biggest construction projects, like the Hervey Bay High School Sports Hall.
It also worked on what used to be the Peppers Pier Resort, now Hervey Bay’s Oaks Resort and Spa on the Esplanade, Urangan.
Miles Electrical entered creditors voluntary liquidation following a disputed $2m owed to them in relation to the $60 million Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions plant build which was completed at Maryborough’s Moonaboola Industrial Estate.
Kebabs on Kent
Kebabs on Kent opened the heart of Maryborough October 2020.
Tim Statt and his husband Skott underestimated just how popular the shop would be, as they regularly sold out of products and purchased new equipment to help meet demand.
The kebab shop has since closed, and new Maryborough pizzeria La Familia has recently opened in the space.
Aussie Punjab
Indian restaurant Aussie Punjab which used to occupy the space at 360 Kent St, Maryborough has now been transformed into a coffee shop.
Cockatoo Cafe run by Jaye and Sandy Scheffler opened the coffee shop in August this year, and have been doing a roaring trade ever since.
The couple used to run cafes and restaurants in Western Australia but moved to the Fraser Coast 12 months ago and started operating their mobile coffee van.
Opening a cafe was the next venture, although their van still operates around the region.
Hervey Bay Dayman General Store Cafe
One of Hervey Bay’s most popular cafes closed in November 2022 after nearly two years in business.
Urangan’s Hervey Bay Dayman General Store was known for its delicious breakfasts, bao buns, coffee, and extensive gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.
During their last week of trade, owners Claire and Matt Straight said the cafe would reopen as an artisan bakery with new owners in March 2023.
“We didn’t realise just how much of a safe space we’ve provided to most of our regulars,” Mrs Straight said.
“We got to know them on a personal level, and so we will miss that connection with our community.”
The store’s last day of trade was November 6.
Coast Restaurant & Bar
One of Hervey Bay’s top restaurants Coast Restaurant & Bar closed prior to the pandemic after the space was sold to Vinyard owner Mark Blackberry.
The restaurant was reopen as the Bear and operated at 469 the Esplanade, Torquay, until recently selling.
The Vinyard
Another one of Hervey Bay’s popular restaurants The Vinyard at Urangan, also has not reopened since its temporary closure during the pandemic.
Mark Blackberry also owned the restaurant.
The restaurant, located at 552 Esplanade, had sweeping views across the Urangan waterfront for diners to enjoy while wine tasting on the rooftop.
The building is currently still for sale.
71 Wharf, Maryborough
Similarly to other businesses in the region, Maryborough’s 71 Wharf also shut its doors in March 2020 during the pandemic.
The restaurant occupied the space on Wharf St before Deck & Anchor, which has also since closed.
Smoke N Leather
Popular nightclub Smoke N Leather shut down amid accusations of a “serious” breach of lease by the club’s owners in April 2019.
It was Hervey Bay’s only nightclub.
A company spokeswoman confirmed at the time that the “lease has been terminated by the landlord” and the nightclub had closed.
Yo-Get-It
Locals were devastated when Hervey Bay’s You-Get-It closed down in April 2021.
At the time, the popular frozen yoghurt shop announced on Facebook that the decision was made to close the shop as the owners came to the end of their franchise agreement.
They thanked Stockland Shopping Centre management and their staff for their support.
More new business to arrive in Hervey Bay in the past nine months also include; La Bella Italia Pizzeria, Bar Soma, Hervey Bay Hot Pot at Schnitzel & Ribs, Tannins At Torquay, Choice The Discount Store at Pialba Place, Digital Image Kiosk and The Nutcracker Sweet Shop.
New Maryborough businesses include Antonio’s Pizzaria, Caricature Queen Dr Jay Harley and SIP Espresso Bar’s third cafe in the city.
Bark Avenue Grooming pet parlour also opened on the Fraser Coast this year.
Ocean and Earth Diner & Bar
Beachfront eatery Ocean and Earth Diner & Bar in Hervey Bay has also closed.
The space at 381 the Esplanade, Torquay, was formerly occupied by the Black Dog Cafe.
Which business would you like to see return to the Fraser Coast? Vote in our poll:
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