Gold Coast restaurant announces shock closure in leaked email, leaving many staff out of work

A Gold Coast restaurant will close, just months after replacing one of the city’s most popular venues, a leaked email has revealed.

Loki opened less than two months ago in place of Hellenika and has announced it will be closing its doors on Sunday. Picture Glenn Hampson

A GOLD Coast restaurant has shockingly closed two months after opening in the place of one of the region’s most popular eateries.

Nobby Beach restaurant and bar Loki opened in place of Hellenika in the iconic two-storey building on November 30 last year, promising a Mediterranean-themed menu and fresh focus on “drinking, dining and dancing”.

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Loki was the new restaurant that opened in the space of Hellenika. Picture Glenn Hampson

A leaked screenshot of an email to the Gold Coast Bulletin reveals the restaurant’s last day of trade will be this Sunday and all employees will lose their jobs.

“I am not going to beat around the bush here. We have decided to close Loki,” the email reads.

“Our final day of trade will be Sunday 2nd of February. After this, Loki will cease to exist and so, unfortunately, will all contracts of employment. All entitlements will be paid in full.”

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Owner Brodie Millwood says the first couple of weeks were tough dealing with abuse from loyal Hellenika fans. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Loki is owned by the team behind popular Burleigh Heads pizza restaurant Justin Lane, credited with starting the rooftop bar trend on the Gold Coast.

The email said while the restaurant was “tracking in the right direction”, the team are planning to launch a new project in place of Loki.

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The interior dining room of Loki. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We are proud of what we have achieved in a very short period of time. We are proud and thankful of what all of us have put together.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, a lot of time, money and effort has been put into Loki and the business is tracking in the right direction.

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Loki was a popular rooftop bar in Nobby Beach.

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“But deep in our hearts, we have a project that we are passionate about, and have decided to take this opportunity to relaunch with a new concept.”

In a statement to the Bulletin, Loki owner Brodie Millwood said the closure is only temporary.

“We have decided to cease trading as Loki. This is not ‘goodbye’ but this is ‘see you soon’,” Mr Millwood said.

“We opened a restaurant, a new concept, on very short notice, delivering a concept that we knew we could deliver on this short notice.

“However, deep inside we have a passion for another concept … that perhaps in hindsight we should have run with to begin with.

Loki, new restaurant in the space of Hellenika. Owner Brodie Millwood says the first couple of weeks were tough dealing with abuse from loyal Hellenika fans but the restaurant is now finding its feet.Brodie looks in the wine room. Picture Glenn Hampson

Brodie Millwood. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Regardless of how things have worked out we are very proud of what we have achieved and thank every single person that has been involved.

“Please know that this decision was not made lightly, however we knew that if we wanted to make a change, the quieter months after the summer rush are the perfect time for us to make this happen.

“We cannot wait to unveil our new project. We hope the Gold Coast is ready.”