Noosa bar and Asian restaurant, Gin-Ja, abruptly shuts shop

A much-loved Noosa gin bar and restaurant has suddenly closed its doors, shocking patrons after making a self-described ‘bad business decision’.

Gin-Ja, Noosaville

A popular Noosa gin bar and restaurant has suddenly closed its doors, shocking patrons after making a self-described “bad business decision”.

The Asian restaurant and bar, Gin-Ja, on Thomas St in Noosaville announced its closure on social media earlier this week, after the community questioned whether the venue was still trading.

The venue owner, Aaron Whitney, responded in a social media comment the closure had followed a “bad business decision”.

“I’m sorry everyone. Yes I had to close the doors...I had so much fun over the years... Thanks for everyone’s support. Was a bad business decision that had me make this choice,” Mr Whitney stated in the comment.

Commenters were quick to state their support for the business and for Mr Whitney.

“Oh no..my favourite go to place every time I come to Noosa...Aaron is a fantastic chef..hope to find him again somewhere,” one comment stated.

Another commenter stated they were “gutted” by the new Gin-Ja had closed.

“Ohhhh no … we have just discovered this gem … we were hoping to support the team …. Gutted!”

The company behind the venue, Jas Noosa Pty Ltd, was first registered in October 2022, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents.

Tewantin man, Mr Whitney acted as both the director and the secretary of the company.

The closure of Gin-Ja comes days after the much-loved Sunshine Coast restaurant chain, Junk, was forced to bring in restructuring practitioners to deal with hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in Australian Taxation Office debt.

Junk’s director, Scott Hoskins, told this publication the last two years had been the “most difficult” for the region’s hospitality industry during his 12-year stint operating restaurants.

“The last two years have been the most difficult years of my 12-year time in hospitality, the first thing to go when families have less money in their budget is eating out,” Mr Hoskins said.

Mr Whitney declined to comment any further on the venue’s closure.