Foxy Luu’s owner Utku Ayhan on finding new venue, challenges of business in Byron Bay
The owner of a popular Byron Asian venue which has shut to hunt for a new home has spoken about challenges of running a business in the changing tourism town.
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The owner of a popular Byron Bay Asian restaurant which has shut its doors to find a new home has opened up about challenges of running a business in the evolving tourism hub.
Owner Utku Ayhan, 46, said Foxy Luu’s on Jonson St is seeking new premises after a development application prevented it from renewing its lease after six years in business.
The massive $57.2 million three-storey residential and retail development dubbed Bohemian has been planned for the area, on 90-96 Jonson St.
Foxy Luu’s is a trendy Asian eatery best known for its cheap and healthy menu including items such as loaded Taiwanese steamed buns, bento boxes and Vietnamese rice paper rolls.
The business closed its doors at the end of last year.
Mr Ayhan, 46, said he has seen a lot of changes in Byron in recent times, some of which made for challenging business conditions.
“We don’t want Byron to become one of those fancy townships, yet change is unavoidable,” he said.
Some have given Byron a new moniker – ‘Byrondi’, likening the North Coast visitor hot spot to Bondi in Sydney.
The sought-after destination famed for its laid back atmosphere, natural attractions and creative culture has been impacted by problems such as skyrocketing housing and other costs, traffic and parking woes.
Mr Ayhan said: “It’s a tough gig in Byron Bay.”
He said he has noticed a shift in spending habits since Covid and amid the cost of living crisis nationwide.
“Byron is a unique place, it’s a destination for holiday-makers, but generally I think people have a bit less money to splurge or eat out compared to before Covid,” he said.
“I’ve noticed it in my other shops as well.
“I’m confident if the concept is good we will do well.”
Mr Ayhan hopes to reopen Foxy Luu’s before summer.
“The concept worked really well. It’s a shame we had to close but hopefully, we will open again,” he said.
“Empty shops don’t become available very often so I’m in the process of looking for a shop front.
“I’m looking in Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads if anything comes up to create more options for myself, but it’s a Byron brand so I would like it to stay in Byron’s town.”
“The community welcomed it. We did well in that small shop.
Mr Ayhan has owned modern Middle Eastern restaurant Sefa Kitchen, at Bondi for a decade.
“We had a six-course edible gold-covered menu, every dish was covered with edible gold to celebrate our 10th year,” he said.
Mr Ayhan is considering opening a similar venue in Byron and about six months ago he bought cafe Scott’s Hub at Scotts Head.
He has taken to social media to hunt for a new home for Foxy Luu’s and asked anyone who may have a suitable venue to email eat@foxyluus.com.
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