Melbourne restaurant Calia enters into voluntary administration

A leading restaurant owner says he has been left broken after his Chadstone and Emporium venues collapsed amid the cost of living crisis.

Calia is located at Emporium and Chadstone. Picture: Facebook

A leading Melbourne restaurant owner says he has been left broken after his business collapsed amid the cost of living crisis.

Calia Australia, which operates eateries at Emporium and Chadstone, as well as a specialty food and drinks business, has placed itself in voluntary administration.

Jirsch Sutherland’s Glenn Crisp has been appointed administrator and will now work to strike a deal with parties who are owed money.

Calia called in insolvency experts on June 28, documents filed with the nation’s corporate regulator show.

Calia, co-owned by Ricky Thien and City of Melbourne councillor Jason Chang, opened its first store in 2016.

The Asian-inspired menu was created by Michelin Star chef Francisco Javier Araya.

In a statement, Mr Chang said his restaurants remained open but were financially affected by soaring operational costs and Covid lockdowns.

City of Melbourne councillor Jason Chang’s business Calia has entered voluntary administration. Picture: David Caird

“Similar to many small hospitality businesses in Melbourne, the past few years have brought significant challenges to our company due to the impacts of Covid,” he said.

“Calia is working closely with Jirsch Sutherland to actively explore solutions as it relates to both customers and key stakeholders.

“Calia venues are currently operating as normal, and are fully committed to providing regular updates to all stakeholders as it works through the voluntary administration process.”

In the week that Calia entered into voluntary administration, the well-respected restaurant owner opened up about his mental health struggles on social media.

“Mental health has always had a social stigma, especially in Asian culture, but it really shouldn’t be,” Mr Chang said.

“I recently broke down in city council when I commented on the challenges of small businesses in Melbourne CBD as well as families during this cost of living crisis.

Calia is a restaurant and retail space that sells a selection of high-quality products.

“I have now realised that as strong as I try to be, I am not immune from depression and anxiety.

“I tried to be strong for the community and my team but it has taken a huge toll on my mental health and family. In the end I am human, we are all human.

“I encourage any of you who are going through tough times and are facing anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges to seek help.”

It comes as Mr Chang was attacked on Lonsdale St while trying to stop a man who allegedly stole alcohol from his Emporium store.

The scuffle left Mr Chang with a sprained and swollen arm in May 2021.

“Enough is enough. I’ve got wages to pay and a family to feed,” he said at the time.

“We struggled enough through the pandemic so to get assaulted while trying to run a small business is shocking.”

Mr Crisp was contacted for comment.