Burleigh Bazaar to shut down after owner sells warehouse to skincare powerhouse MooGoo
The Gold Coast is set to lose another live music venue, after the owner sold the property for $4.4m. The new owner has very different plans for the site.
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The Gold Coast is set to lose another live music venue, after the owner of Burleigh Bazaar sold the property for $4.4m.
Michael Salay’s warehouse has hosted big and small-name acts in the past five years since it launched as BBQ Bazaar in 2018.
The venue was renamed and revamped in 2021 to cater for gigs of up to 1200 people.
“We sold it and we’re just moving on, we don’t have any plans,” Mr Salay said.
“It’s been tough, we’ve got out of it OK, but it’s a bit sad.
“The business has been a bit of a slog, it’s very hard to get gigs and very hard to get people to gigs as well.”
The 2280 sqm property at Junction Rd in Burleigh had last sold for $1.25m in 2016.
Its new owner is a company directed by Craig Jones, founder of skincare success story MooGoo.
Mr Jones said the Burleigh warehouse would give MooGoo the chance to bring all its manufacturing operations under one roof.
“We also plan to set up a really cool research lab as well.”
Mr Jones said, despite tough competition in his sector from celebrities and influencers bringing out their own skincare lines, revenue was still healthy.
“It’s hard work to make sure we have the best product we can and the best relationship with the customer that we can,” he said.
“A lot of our customers are repeat customers, so that’s a good thing.”
Mr Salay said Burleigh Bazaar would remain open until the end of December, with shows including Boy & Bear, Safia and The Rions still to go ahead.
Others booked for next year, including Fun Lovin’ Criminals scheduled for February, will be cancelled.
“I’m going to miss the live bands,” Mr Salay said.
“That’s what we loved doing, and the original music – that’s what it evolved to be in the end.
“But if you’re a local band and you only have 30 or 40 people in the venue, the vibe is just not there.
Burleigh Bazaar’s departure will leave spots like Miami Marketta, Vinnie’s Dive Bar, HOTA and the Coolangatta Hotel among a shrinking number of small live music venues for well-known and emerging acts.
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Originally published as Burleigh Bazaar to shut down after owner sells warehouse to skincare powerhouse MooGoo
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