Bondi Hardware issued wind up order, with ATO allegedly chasing unpaid taxes

A beloved eastern suburbs bar which shut its doors earlier this year allegedly owes nearly half a million dollars in unpaid taxes.

Bottomless brunches pictured in 2020 at Bondi Hardware.

A beloved eastern suburbs eatery which shut its doors earlier this year allegedly owes nearly half a million dollars in unpaid taxes, it can be revealed.

Bondi Hardware was a staple watering hole for the eastern suburbs after work drinks crowd for 12 years before it closed its doors in January.

At the time, the venue posted to social media citing Covid, living costs, and spikings costs of alcohol, food utilities and rent, as reasons behind the closure.

“We’ve made the difficult and devastating decision to close our doors,” the venue wrote.

“Those who know the realities of running a small business (especially hospitality in this climate) will understand the mental toll and heartbreak of this decision, hence why we have been quiet for the past few weeks, processing this huge loss.

“It’s certainly not how we wanted it to end.

Bondi Beach Hardware.

“Like many in hospitality, we’ve faced our share of challenges – navigating the impact of Covid, rising costs of living, and increasing prices of food, alcohol, utilities and rent.”

Despite ceasing trade nearly seven months ago, the venue did not voluntarily go into administration, leaving it to the taxation office which is allegedly chasing debts totalling $472,478.

The business allegedly has $472,000 in unpaid taxes.

Liquidation documents reveal the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation successfully sought winding up orders for the company in the Federal Court.

A liquidator was appointed by the court on June 27, but is yet to meet with representatives of the cafe.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the venue said the ATO’s “enforcement of outstanding taxes was a significant reason” behind their closure.

The spokesman also cited an immovable demolition clause in the commercial lease as another factor.

“Despite numerous interested parties in the business, brand name and location, the lease with no flexibility around movement of the demolition clause was seen as too risky to the interested parties,” the spokesman said

Along with several other recently shuttered businesses in Bondi, the spokesperson said, “Bondi Hardware no longer serves the local community”.