Out of juice; cafe supplier Good Friends and juice brand HRVST ST go under

A Queensland business that supplied popular juices and other products to some of Brisbane’s most high-end venues, including the Calile and W hotels, and Howard Smith Wharves, has gone bust.

A major cafe distributor and juice brand has “quickly” gone bust after going into voluntary administration in late October.

HRVST ST Pty Ltd trading as Hrvst St cold pressed juices, and Real Friends Food and Drink Supply announced the administrator had “pulled the pin” on October 31.

“This is not something we ever wanted to happen but it is with tears in our eyes and lumps in our throats, time to say goodbye,” they wrote on Instagram.

“Unfortunately the Administrator pulled the pin this afternoon. It all happened extremely fast. If there are any distributor orders in the system that have not been released, the administrator will refund you.”

HRVST ST Pty Ltd trading as Hrvst St cold pressed juices, and Real Friends Food and Drink Supply announced the administrator had “pulled the pin” on October 31.

ASIC records show the notice of appointment of Andrew Weatherley as administrator was published on October 25, with receiver managers Domenico Calabretta and Andrew Quinn of Mackay Goodwin appointed by October 30.

Two days later the business alerted customers it was still “business as usual”.

“We are determined to keep the wheels turning and if you know us personally we are extremely resilient, who always strive to go above and beyond.”

Mr Weatherley said he was appointed Voluntary Administrator of the Company by a resolution of the Company’s Directors.

“I act for all creditors and am generally responsible for controlling the Company’s assets, investigating the Company’s affairs, reporting and providing opinions to creditors and holding meetings of creditors to make decisions on the future of the Company,” he said.

He added that shortly after his appointment, Domenic Calabretta and Andrew Quinn of Mackay Goodwin, were appointed Receivers and Managers of the Company, also on October 25.

“The Receivers and Managers are in control of the Company assets, and I understand took the decision to cease trading on 31 October 2023,” Mr Weatherley said.

“I am not aware of the steps taken by the Receivers and Managers to sell the assets of the Company at this time and expect an update on that shortly.”

The Administrator added he was unable to comment on the Company’s asset and liability position at this time, however will do so in the next few weeks when he issues a detailed report to creditors.

Real Friends website shows they supplied products from over 50 brands they supplied to cafes, restaurants, hotels, grocers and retail spaces.

These included IGA, Howard Smith Wharves, Fonzie Abbott, Campos, Flannery’s grocer, and The Calile, Emporium and W hotels.

In 2015 HRVST ST PTY LTD was founded in Brisbane by Alison Harris and Alyse Filipuzzi.