Sunshine Coast mum fears losing thousands as cafe companies go into liquidation

A young mum fears she’ll be left out of pocket more than $13,000 after the collapse of two Sunshine Coast cafe companies. Read what happened here.

A young mum caught up in the collapse of a cafe empire claims she’s owed more than $13,000 in pay and entitlements.

Mother-of-one Emma Weeden, 30, claimed she was out of pocket by a little more than $13,000 after working as a barista at Cafe Sippy in 2019 and 2020.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents state Cafe Sippy Pty Ltd and related company CK Wholefoods Pty Ltd both entered liquidation on August 8, 2022.

The two companies folded with debts totalling more than $400,000 according to initial investigations carried out.

Paul Nogueira of Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants was appointed liquidator for the two companies which were both directed by Martin Kralovic.

Cafe Sippy, along Smart Dr, Sippy Downs, closed its doors in late-2020.

A report to creditors sighted by the Sunshine Coast Daily showed Cafe Sippy Pty Ltd had a debt of more than $13,000 owed to Ms Weeden, as well as other debts to trade creditors, Westpac, the Australian Taxation Office and CK Wholefoods Pty Ltd of more than $18,000.

Cafe Sippy Pty Ltd’s total debts recorded in the documents were more than $81,000.

Ms Weeden said she had been waiting to be paid out for awhile but was yet to see a cent.

She said she now feared she would not receive anything back after learning the two companies had gone into liquidation.

CK Wholefoods – another cafe on the Sunshine Coast – was since bought by a new owner and continues to operate.

The new owner is not understood to be involved in the previous companies.

A report to creditors showed CK Wholefoods had registered debts owing a total of about $321,000 to a trade creditor, the taxation office and $250,000 owed to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.

Mr Nogueira said both cafes were “severely” rocked by restrictions, lockdowns, and less disposable income during Covid-19, which led to a downturn in sales.

The liquidation process was ongoing.

Mr Kralovic was unable to be contacted for comment.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast mum fears losing thousands as cafe companies go into liquidation