Shock closure of steakhouse: Sale of Woolooga Longyard restaurant
The owners of an award-winning and hugely popular steakhouse which revitalised a small regional Qld town in the wake of devastating floods have shut their doors in a surprise decision.
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The owners of the popular Woolooga Longyard restaurant have announced an immediate closure, less than two weeks after the property was put up for sale.
Owners Caz and Matthew Crane revealed the surprise closure in a Facebook post shortly before 5pm Thursday.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the amazing support we have received over the past few years,” they said.
“Family and health is the most important thing in the world.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision.”
The Cranes apologise for any inconvenience and said they would reimburse any function and booking fees.
The Longyard was opened in May 2022 by the family of four, who moved to the region from the Sunshine Coast in mid 2020.
They bought the shops in July 2021, but their plans were delayed by the trio of floods in the first half of 2022.
In October 2022 the Longyard won New Business of the Year at the Gympie Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, and it was the host and sponsor of the Woolooga Honkytonk rodeo and music festival in July 2023.
The Cranes were recognised as among the most influential people in the region in 2022 for their work.
The closure comes two weeks after the Thomas St restaurant and its surrounding shops, owned by the Cranes, was put up for sale.
This includes the shops housing the Longyard, a cafe, post office, hair salon, and function room.
The advertisement, running on several websites including the Professionals, says all offers will be presented.
The Cranes have been approached for comment.
More than 200 comments of support and shock from the region had been left within a day of the post going live, with customers and members of the community dismayed and shocked by the “sad news”.
“It’s a shame with all of the hard work, long hours, expense n (sic) effort that has been put into keeping this tremendous business going. You will be missed,” Les and Gail Cross said.
“Very sorry to hear this Caz and Matthew. You created a wonderful space and amazing food and will be sorely missed. Best wishes to you both,” Brad Alder said.
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Originally published as Shock closure of steakhouse: Sale of Woolooga Longyard restaurant
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