Comuna Cantina Pacific Fair closes its doors after dispute between owner and centre management

A popular restaurant has closed its doors following a dispute with its landlord. However another eatery has already been lined up to replace it

A POPULAR restaurant has bitten the dust following a bitter row between the owner and Pacific Fair management.

Comuna Cantina owner Tim Johnson, who opened the Latin inspired eatery two years ago, said he had made the “tough decision” to cease trading after failing to have complaints resolved by the centre.

“For us it was a very tough decision. After years talking with the landlord our only option was to not trade,” he said.

Comuna Cantina owner Tim Johnson. Photo: Richard Gosling

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“The decision to close the venue was made after numerous meetings with the management of Pacific Fair to address issues with the tenancy, as well as concerns regarding plans to attract more people to the centre.”

However Pacific Fair said the venue had been closed following the non-payment of rent.

Assistant Centre Manager Nekta Vitekzakis said the issue had been going on for some time.

“Pacific Fair has been working with the owner to resolve the non-payment of rent for a significant period of time without success, and unfortunately, this has led to the closure of the establishment after more than two years of tenure,” he said.