Scott Imlach announces the closure of Okawari House and Marcus Wilkins set to take over
A hospitality operator who was flip-flopping on the impact of light rail construction is abruptly closing a new venture after five months of trading. But find out why his neighbour is succeeding.
Gold Coast
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A Gold Coast small bar king has announced the immediate closure of his new Japanese party-style restaurant after just five months, saying he got the market wrong.
The owner of Hideaway Kitchen and Bar, Nightjar, Precinct Brewing, Bine Bar and Dining and more, Scott Imlach revealed his newest venture Okawari House closed on Sunday.
After opening in the Nobby Beach precinct in April, Mr Imlach had the vision to bring night-life of Japan’s party city precinct Shinjuku to the Gold Coast.
Mr Imlach said he took “full responsibility” for originally reading the market wrong.
He said while the Light Rail stage 3 works and the construction of the low-rise development, The Oxley, was impacting business, it was not the reason the restaurant closed.
“We simply got the model wrong,” Mr Imlach said.
“The market is tough out there for new venues as disposable income becomes harder to find. People are spending their money more wisely in established venues rather than new venues,” he said.
“Also the type of food and ingredients we were using was top quality and prep time we have to price accordingly.
“At the end of the day the venue wasn’t making money so I had to make the call.
“It just wasn’t our time,” he said.
Mr Imlach said even though the business was receiving a good turnover and were “one of the busiest restaurants in Nobby’s”, the cost of running the business was greater than its revenue.
“We could’ve kept going but then it starts to affect the running cost of my other businesses and this way we get out clean, safe and still financially sound,” he said.
“Yea, we burnt a few dollars along the way but I look at it as one in 13 business in 20 years isn’t a bad run.”
Mr Imlach said his other businesses such as Hideaway Kitchen and Bar, Nightjar, Precinct Brewing, Tank Bar and Dining and Bine Bar and dining were going “full steam ahead”.
“There is absolutely no fear of the other businesses closing.”
Owner of the coffee shop under the same lease as Okawari House – The Holliday Coffee – Marcus Wilkins said they would be staying.
Mr Imlach said they were in talks with Mr Wilkins to take over head lease of the space.
“We are looking to expand our service area, offering more food and drinks,” Mr Wilkins said.
Mr Imlach said his first priority was to look after Mr Wilkins and the team at Holliday Coffee.
“Would love to thank all of our hard working staff and customers that did come and enjoy our food,” he said.
“We enjoyed the short ride.”
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