Reason Pizzeria Violetta will no longer be part of Wilston landscape

It was part of Wilston’s iconic retail strip for half a decade but now the reasons for Pizzeria Violetta’s abrupt closure have been shared.

Unsustainable hospitality industry costs and the end of a lease have been revealed as contributing factors to the closure of a key Wilston restaurant.

As equipment was cleared from trendy Wilston restaurant Pizzeria Violetta today, a spokesman revealed why the restaurant had announced its closure from May 16.

He said the Kedron Brook Rd restaurant was at the end of its lease and a combination of other factors had led the owners to make the hard decision.

Pizzeria Violetta has closed following the end of its lease.

He said the restaurant, which was originally opened by well-known restauranteur Renata Roberts five years ago, had been subject to “unrealistic expectations” with regards to rent in the midst of COVID-19 since the building was sold a few months ago.

He said the high overheads were compounded by 30 per cent surcharge by delivery service platforms, the use of which had skyrocketed since pandemic restrictions came into play.

He said the steep fees incurred by the platforms cut deeply into the income of local business, a huge number of which had seen an influx in delivery demand since the pandemic began.

“It’s just a decision that we can’t feasibly operate from now,” he said.

Renata Roberts opened Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta Wilston five years ago but they had since changed hands. Picture: Luke Marsden.

Some staff were alerted of the closure of Pizzeria Violetta and its neighbouring business Sichuan Bang Bang – which were originally opened by Ms Roberts together – via text message.

“Hi Wilston team. I am sorry to let everyone know... it was a last minute decision from Big Boss ... last night.

“We are closed from tonight. Thanks so much for everything guys!

“We couldn’t stay till today without you all.”

The spokesman confirmed the restaurant’s closure was timed with the end of the lease and that all financial debts were being settled and staff wages paid.

Owners of Pizzeria Violetta in Wilston made the decision to close the restaurant at the end of its lease. Picture: Mark Calleja

The closure follows the end of a number of other well-loved Brisbane restaurants and cafes since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the original Cafe 63 which for 13 years operated from 63 Racecourse Rd, Ascot, and Annerley cafe Dudley St Espresso which closed its doors last week after 12 years in business.

Luxe Woolloongabba bistro The Pearl Cafe and The Coffee Club Cleveland were two other defunct businesses hit hard by the pandemic.