Charlie’s Restaurant Cafe and Bar staff say it’s closing as regulars lament icon venue
Residents fear a longrunning Gold Coast cafe and bar is closing after more than 40 years of trading in the heart of the city, posting laments online.
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Residents fear a longrunning Gold Coast cafe and bar is closing after more than 40 years of trading in the heart of the city, posting laments online.
A staff member at Charlie’s Restaurant Cafe and Bar in Surfers Paradise told the Bulletin over the phone on Thursday it had closed whilst its Facebook and Google opening hours list the cafe as “permanently closed”.
Late Thursday afternoon the Google listing changed from “permanently closed” to show opening until 10pm.
On Thursday afternoon the Bulletin saw staff members moving cooking equipment and furniture to the front of the cafe.
They appeared to be readying the furniture for removal.
Charlie’s has spent 47 years nestled in the heart of Cavill Mall near the beachfront.
Residents on the Surfers Paradise community page reacted to a pictures showing doors of the cafe shut, saying it was “the end of an era” as others wondered why the 24/7 venue had closed.
On Thursday afternoon, the Bulletin was contacted by a Prisha Caelestis requesting the article removal on behalf of Charlie’s management but declined to answer questions about Charlie’s future.
“We have already informed the media team at GC Bulletin that the management do not want any posts or publications made with regards to the restaurant without express approval.
“This will be taken further if our request is not adhered to, so we politely and for the last time request for you to please remove the article and prevent any future publications of any such material and content.
“If management has a change of their mind or wish to speak further in the coming future, you will be contacted directly,” Ms Caelestis said.
“I remember many a late night or early morning food stop after discoing at Twains in the 80s,” Cathy Turner commented.
“Was the only place open late then.”
The Charlies Restaurant Cafe and Bar described themselves on their website as “welcoming, accepting without judgment, happy to have you around even when you’re not looking your best”.
“(We) know how to serve a good 100 per cent Aussie beef burger, with a genuine smile and a good mate,” they had posted on their website.
Charlie’s Cafe and Bar was one of the founding businesses of the Paradise entry when it opened in 1981.
However, the restaurant was first opened as a sandwich shop under a different name in 1976, with the tagline on the existing Paradise Centre premises down Cavill Mall noting “Charlie’s cafe and bar 24/7 since 1976”.
Back in 2014, then Charlie’s owner Todd Downie – whose family had the business since 1981 – said it never shut due to the open frontage meaning it could never actually close, adding: “I love Surfers Paradise.”
The tribute noted Charlie’s being one of the staples for Gold Coast locals and tourists in the 70s and 80s catering for families during the day, shift workers, taxi drivers and the night-life.
The owner had been contacted for a comment.
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