Miami Coast Roast and Fry owner Emma Egner wants to shut up shop after 15 months trading
A Gold Coast takeaway shop is begging to get out of its lease after 15 months of trading and its owner says imminent light-rail construction is the “icing on the cake”.
Gold Coast
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A Gold Coast takeaway shop is begging to get out of its lease after 15 months of trading and its owner says imminent light-rail construction is the “icing on the cake”.
The heartbreaking plea from Miami Coast Roast and Fry owner Emma Egner highlights the challenges faced by small business, including a crowded market and prolonged pain as the city’s public transport system is upgraded.
Ms Egner said she opened her store at the start of 2022 and hoped it would make enough money so her husband could quit his job.
She said after 15 months they were only making $400 a day after being open for 13 hours.
“We have tried everything,” she said.
“We have had social media people, letterbox drops, our prices are very cheap considering how much I should be charging.”
Ms Egner said she was the only worker at the carvery as they could not afford any other staff.
“Our initial hope was that my husband and I would make enough for him to quit his job after it built up and we could do it together,” she said.
“It doesn’t earn enough money to even do that.
“I have been doing this for nothing because if I took a wage I wouldn’t make rent.”
Ms Egner said she was struggling to compete in a saturated market, with competition just a few doors down.
She shared a post to Facebook pleading for help and ideas on how to break her commercial lease.
“I hate my life and my shop,” she said.
“I have eight months left until the end of my contract.
“I need help.
“Is there anyway out of a commercial lease fully signed with solicitor.”
GOLD COAST LIGHT RAIL STAGE 3: HOW CONSTRUCTION WILL IMPACT ON HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
Ms Egner said looming Light Rail Stage 3 construction was the “icing on the cake” when it came to wanting to shut up shop.
“My real estate neglected to tell me of the light rail,” she said.
“It’s something I should have looked into.
“If I had of known or looked into it I wouldn’t be here in my position right now.”
Ms Egner said she would have to forgo her $15,000 bond and come up with another $15,000 to pay out her lease.
“No one will take a takeaway shop off my hands when there is going to be no parking,” she said.
“All I want to do is go back to being a mum at home with my six kids.”
The Gold Coast Highway recently saw major traffic changes through Mermaid Beach as workers relocated and upgraded major water mains, sewers and gas infrastructures.
The $1.2 billion jointly funded third stage of the light rail is set to take commuters a further 6.7km from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads by 2025.
“Light Rail stage three will connect 27km of the Gold Coast to reliable and accessible public transport from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads.”
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