Locals shocked after Lester and Earl and Mr Buttergoods Palm Beach shut down

TWO renowned southern Gold Coast eateries have suddenly closed their doors, leaving locals stunned.

A sign posted on the window of Lester and Earl and Mr Buttergoods in Palm Beach stating the premises are "under landlord possession".

TWO renowned southern Gold Coast eateries have suddenly closed their doors, leaving locals stunned.

Palm Beach’s Lester and Earl bar and grill and adjoining bakery Mr Buttergoods have both closed down, with the building’s landlord claiming the owner was not keeping up with rent payments.

Mr Buttergoods at Palm Beach. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Loyal regulars were shocked to find the popular venues closed over the weekend, with a sign posted on the window stating the premises were “under landlord possession”.

All calls to Lester and Earl were forwarded to an answering machine stating the venue was closed “due to maintenance” but would reopen on Wednesday, February 20.

However a spokesman for the landlord said Lester and Earl and Mr Buttergoods are now closed and both spaces will soon be put up for lease.

Lester and Earl owner John Dunlea. Pic by Richard Gosling

Located in the heart of Palm Beach’s thriving bar and restaurant scene, Lester and Earl opened to much fanfare in early 2015 as one of the Gold Coast’s original American themed barbecue restaurants.

Last year Lester and Earl owner John Dunlea opened Mr Buttergoods Bakehouse in June, which involved a significant fit-out of the space directly below the venue, formerly occupied by Palm Beach Cycles.

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Inside Lester and Earl bar and grill. Picture: John Gass

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It is not the first time the venues were closed, after “a simple misunderstanding” forced a temporary closure in January this year.

A spokesman for the landlord told the Gold Coast Bulletin that while the issue was resolved earlier this year, there will be no opportunity for the businesses to reopen this time around.

The closure comes after a turbulent year on the Gold Coast dining scene, with more than 50 venues closed in the wake of the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Closed for business: Mr Buttergoods has not been open for a number of days.