Gold Coast Hellenika owner Simon Gloftis on vouchers, advance bookings

The man behind now shut Gold Coast restaurant Hellenika has revealed how vouchers and advance bookings will be handled after howls of protest this morning.

Simon Gloftis is promising all Hellenika Gold Coast vouchers will be fully refunded: “No one will be out of pocket.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

THE owner of the Gold Coast’s popular Hellenika restaurant, which abruptly shut at the weekend, is promising to refund vouchers after howls of protest online this morning.

Gutted fans of the restaurant and others upset about reservations or vouchers have flooded the Bulletin comments page this morning after it broke the story of Hellenika’s closure overnight.

Hellenika had its final night of trading in Nobby Beach on Sunday after a 10-year run with owner Simon Gloftis saying it was time to focus on his new Hellenika in Brisbane and SK Steak and Oyster opening in Brisbane in coming weeks.

It marked the respected restaurateur’s departure from the Gold Coast hospitality scene after he withdrew from his partnership at Star Gold Coast’s Nineteen earlier this year and sold The Fish House back in 2016.

‘HEAVY HEART’ AT CLOSING OF AN ICON

Simon Gloftis has shut Hellenika at Nobby Beach to concentrate on two new Brisbane ventures - with gutted fans and voucher holders expressing dismay. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

HELLENIKA’S BIG FAT GREEK LEGACY

Commenting on Facebook, Kate Brideson grizzled: “We just received a voucher last weekend for our wedding! How could they sell them knowing they were closing!”

Raffalina Giacoumis asked: “What about my voucher grrrrr.”

Stacks of fans of Hellenika also expressed their dismay at its departure from the Gold Coast foodie scene.

Mr Gloftis promised all Hellenika vouchers would be honoured either via full refund or could be transferred to his new Hellenika restaurant at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane.

“We will fully refund it, it’s no issue at all, no one will be out of pocket,” he told the Bulletin this morning.

Hellenika owner Simon Gloftis has shut the Nobby Beach eatery which will be reborn by the team behind Justin Lane Establishment. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS

Regarding reservations already made and Christmas parties, he said: “I’m sincerely sorry if someone has a reservation but this happened a lot quicker than anyone expected.

“The new owners will honour bookings but it is also going to be a different offering so it is up to the person,” Mr Gloftis said.

Earlier Mr Gloftis said it was only right that the new owners of the Hellenika site at Nobby Beach – the crew behind Justin Lane at Burleigh – had the chance to honour bookings as he didn’t want to take reservations away.

“But if there is availability, people are more than welcome to come up the road,” he said in reference to The Calile Hotel Hellenika.

Gutted Gold Coast Hellenika fan Stefania Davenport-Warn wrote: “Simon, we need words this is awful news! Hellenika is the only good restaurant on the GC!”

Whilst Sofia Karlsson wrote: “Looks like we have to go to Brisbane for some quality Greek food!”

Brad McKenna simply wrote: “Whhhhhaaattt??”