Doors close on popular Gold Coast smokehouse Buffalo Sears at Burleigh Heads

The owner of a popular Gold Coast restaurant has blamed the loss of key staff and council complaints for its demise after the highly-rated venue suddenly closed its doors.

THE owner of a successful Gold Coast restaurant has blamed the loss of key staff and council complaints for its demise, after the popular venue suddenly closed its doors.

Buffalo Sears at Burleigh Heads became the latest in a string of shock closures at Gold Coast restaurants in recent months.

The 90-seater smokehouse off the main James St drag beneath the Swell Resort quickly became a crowd favourite after opening in July 2017.

By the time it closed it had amassed a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor and was voted among the top 5 rib joints on the Coast by the Bulletin in February 2018.

Burleigh Heads smokehouse Buffalo Sears. Picture: @BuffaloSears

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But last month, just days after a new menu launch, owner Luke Fatooros announced the business had been permanently closed.

“For many months this was a great, thriving little business,” he said in an online post to supporters.

“(But) my original partner and chef, who started with me had to leave for personal reasons beyond my control.

“Then my incredible manager Helena … left on maternity leave.

“Since then, it has been a constant struggle to try and find staff who care as deeply about our customers’ experience, look after my regulars and uphold my original vision and values.”

Mr Fatooros said he had been in a “constant battle” with the body corporate at the Swell Resort after complaints about smoke from the restaurant’s kitchen feeding into the building above.

Despite receiving a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor the smokehouse closed down last month. Picture: @BuffaloSears

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He said there had also been “constant” complaints made about the restaurant to council about everything from noise to bins.

“For the last year or so, my focus has been unnecessarily diverted by constant battles with the head of the body corporate for the Buffalo Sears premises — constant noise complaints to council, and a myriad of other complaints,” he said.

Mr Fatooros claims none of the complaints were substantiated.

“Life is too short for this nonsense,” he said.

Swell Resorts declined to comment publicly but acknowledged there were ongoing disagreements between the body corporate and the restaurant.

Burleigh Heads smokehouse Buffalo Sears also sold its own house made spice rubs and sauces. Picture: @BuffaloSears

Mr Fatooros apologised to the “unfortunate souls” who had a bad experience at Buffalo Sears.

He has announced plans to continue working in the BBQ scene on the Coast.

Meanwhile a new Italian venture, the Belvedere Stone Mill, has already been announced for the Swell Resort, with renovations currently underway.

The departure of Buffalo Sears follows hot on the heels of other restaurant closures including Broadbeach favourite O-sushi and Cichetti and That Italian Place, which have both gone into administration.