Popular Japanese restaurant Ichi Ni St Kilda closes in shock sale
Staff at a popular Japanese restaurant will be deployed and paid entitlements, after the business announced a snap takeover by a pub giant.
Food
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A popular Japanese restaurant to Melbourne’s “It-crowd” will close next week after a snap takeover by a mega pub group.
Japanese izakaya Ichi Ni, frequented by AFL players, social media stars and local identities, will close this Sunday after Australian Venue Co acquired the site.
The pub giant owns more than 200 venues nationwide and New Zealand, with a significant footprint in Melbourne, including St Kilda icon The Espy located next-door to the Ichi Ni site on The Esplanade.
Beer Deluxe, Prahran Hotel and Garden State Hotel are among the many up-market venues in its stable.
Ichi Ni’s owners shared news of the sale in a social media post on Monday, thanking staff, customers and suppliers for the help over the years.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, both past and present, who have contributed to shaping our legacy,” the post read.
“To our supportive suppliers, thank you for all your support and most importantly, to our cherished guests who have dined with us over the years, we offer our sincere thanks.”
“Each of you have played a vital role in our journey, occupying our thoughts day in and day out.”
Ichi Ni Izakaya, run by longtime owners Vince and Jake Sofo and Paul Adamo, will now focus their attention to Fitzroy sister restaurant Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya.
The Ichi Group said all Ichi Ni Izakaya staff would be deployed to their Fiztroy location with their entitlements paid in full.
“The Espy has acquired the Ichi Ni St Kilda site, with plans to develop the site in 2024,” The Espy spokesperson said.
“We are working with the owners to find roles for all impacted employees across other venues owned by AVC or the sellers.”
Vince Sofo and Paul Adamo were previous owners of The Espy before selling to the Sand Hill Road Group in 2017. At the time they did not retain any shares in the sale, and currently have no links to The Espy.
In 2022, the Australian Venue Co acquired several Sand Hill Road Group pubs for its growing portfolio, which included The Espy.
Australian Venue Co did not say what would replace Ichi Ni in the future.
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