Coronavirus hits hospitality hard with a barrage of restaurants choosing to close their doors
The hospitality industry is being hit hard by coronavirus isolation measures, with more and more venues opting to shut their doors before they are hit too hard. SEE THE LIST
Sydney Taste
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Restaurants across Sydney are already succumbing to the crippling ripple effect of COVID-19 self-isolation, with an increasing number opting for voluntary temporary closure.
While many eateries have turned to takeaway and delivery to stay afloat, others cannot justify the risk of staying open and losing even more money.
On Sunday Botany restaurant Capanno Trattoria Bar and Grill will temporarily close for the first time in its 40 year history for an indefinite period.
Owner Alex Rigas said the past month was the hardest time they had ever faced, plunging from 100 per cent patronage to 10 per cent or less within two weeks.
The restaurant attempted to focus on takeaway however Ms Rigas said that was “too little, too late.”
“I’ve put my life on the line financially to stay afloat and keep the doors open but it’s only a matter of time that you can prop yourself and your staff up, who are our family,” she said.
“I’m somewhat in denial trying to survive this crisis, doing what I have to do now.
“We just have to think that it’s not forever, it’s temporary. I’d like to think we’ll be back.
“In an ideal world we would get the support small businesses are crying out for, keeping employees employed.”
Owner of CBD Vietnamese restaurant My Lua Candice Anh Nguyet decided to temporarily close as of Friday saying it was a hard decision, but made the best economic sense.
“It’s very difficult because lots of people are working from home and some of the universities are shut,” she said.
“Three thousand dollars rent a week is better than a $7000 loss after wages and everything else.
“At least I can predict my loss and be prepared.
“Hopefully this will be over soon. Scary time.”
Other venues including Matteo Downtown in the CBD, Surry Hills pub Cricketers Arms, Star owned restaurant Chuuka, The Gardens by Lotus, Lotus Dumpling Bar, Lotus The Galeries and Surry Hills cafe Rustic Pearl have also opted to cut their losses and shut temporarily.
Even Star-backed eateries Chuuka and Momofuku Sieobo have announced temporary closures.
Woollahra cafe About Spicer has closed permanently.
Matteo Downtown co-owner and executive chef Orazio D'Elia simply said with no customers, there was no revenue.
“We are experiencing something we never thought would happen,” he said. “Matteo Downtown has taken a massive hit as people are simply not coming through the doors. We have bills and expenses to pay that we can’t afford if we have no guests.
“Being located in the financial district, we’re surrounded by lots of offices and businesses who are all now working from home. So, we made the tough decision to close Matteo Downtown until the storm passes. “But, we will be back, stronger than ever.”
Matteo Double Bay remains opened with a full takeaway menu available.
TEMPORARY CLOSURES
Capanno Trattoria
Matteo Downtown
My Lua
Cricketers Arms
Rustic Pearl
Chuuka
Lotus The Galeries
Lotus Dumpling Bar
The Gardens By Lotus
Bund Sydney
Cantina OK
Momofuku Sieobo at The Star
Chiswick at The Gallery
Table Sixty Espresso
Bings Sydney
Balcon By Tapavino
Born By Tapavino
Bar Tapavino
Lobo Plantation
The Doss House
The Restaurant Pendolino
Misfits Bar and Dining
Chophouse Sydney
PERMANENT CLOSURES
About Spicer