Feed the Earthlings Broadbeach closes its doors after Commonwealth Games downturn

THE Broadbeach business downturn has claimed yet another victim with one of the Coast’s most popular burger joints closing its doors this afternoon.

Ms Teaki Page at her Vegan restaurant at Broadbeach, Feed The Earthlings is closing down due to a drop in trade. Picture Mike Batterham

THE Broadbeach business downturn has claimed yet another victim.

Today, vegan fast-food eatery Feed the Earthlings in Broadbeach shut up shop.

It comes as more than 10 eateries and retailers closed their doors in the past six months, blaming high rents, prolonged redevelopment of Surf Parade and the Commonwealth Games.

Iconic restaurant Onyx was one of the first places to sound the alarm, shutting their doors after the Blues on Broadbeach festival due to trade dropping 50 per cent.

Closed- after nearly two years at Broadbeach. Picture Mike Batterham

At the time, Restaurant Industry Support Gold Coast Association president Glen Day said the four weeks leading up to the Games had been the “quietest time” he knew of in the past 40 years.

Yesterday, Feed the Earthlings had its worst takings in the two years since it first opened. It served just 12 people throughout the day, with the resulting profits not even enough to cover wages.

In the past two years, the store was voted Best of the Gold Coast for its burgers.

Ms Page said the decision was made to close the store after the terrible night, plus figures which showed that compared to the same time last year, the store was 80 per cent down in trade.

Mr Hancock said they would instead be focusing on their remaining Burleigh store, which opened in January this year, after recently closing their Capalaba, Brisbane store as well.

“The Commonwealth Games scared all the locals away,” he said.

Ms Teaki Page cleared out the store today. Picture Mike Batterham

“The way I look at it is started a few weeks before the Games. We had no regulars coming into the store, they were packing up and getting out.

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“They stopped spending money because they were going on holidays. If you take away the customers — that’s two parents and two children — it’s going to cost you a lot of money.”

And as the Commonwealth Games came and passed, the trade failed to pick up.

Mr Hancock said Broadbeach had just gone quiet, with usually bustling restaurants empty.

Ms Teaki Page packs up her store. Picture Mike Batterham

He said Japanese restaurant Cha Cha down the road was “hugely popular” and generally packed with customers after 5pm — but now they had empty seats which “you never see”.

He said parking spots in the precinct were so deserted that even the council parking inspectors had forsaken the area.

“We don’t see council parking (inspectors),” he said.

“Which is hugely telling. Usually you see four or five on one day.”

Mr Hancock said they had been increasingly stressed as their business got quieter, but said they would now focus on their Burleigh store.

“It’s a shame, (Broadbeach) is a good area,” he said.

“We know Broadbeach will pick up, we just can’t wait on it. It’s a touch one, it really is. It’s a relief now that what we’re doing will benefit our other store and pay off outstanding debts.”

Mr Hancock said they would be soon expanding their Burleigh store with extra dishes, including pasta and possibly desserts.