Up-market venue says it cannot afford to reopen post COVID-19

“Some venues will never again hear the chink of glasses, the pops of cork or the laughter of customers enjoying a night out,” owners of a popular Hobart eatery said as they revealed they are closing. But there may be some good news on the horizon.

• Tasmanian restaurant group stands down 112 staff
• $8M development for Hobart waterfront site

A POPULAR Hobart restaurant says the financial hit delivered by COVID-19 has knocked out any hopes of reopening.

Ettie’s owners Carl Windsor and James Kingston put up a Facebook post on Monday to pass on the news that after three years the Elizabeth St venue would not be coming back.

But the pair did hint that Ettie’s might return in another venue sometime in the future.

“The last few months have been like nothing our industry has ever experienced before,’ the Facebook post reads.

Carl Windsor owner of Ettie's restaurant in North Hobart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“We were all forced to shut down for an extended period of time and while the government is doing its best to help our industry to recover some venues will never again hear the chink of glasses, the pops of cork or the laughter of customers enjoying a night out.”

“With this in mind, Carl and James have made the very hard but measured decision to not reopen Ettie’s restaurant.”

The pair said the decision was made after weighing up all the costs associated with reopening, the restaurant's reliance on the tourism market, the risk of another shutdown and fears a venue the size of Ettie’s would not make it through the next 12 months operating under the “new normal” regulations.

“Firstly we would like to thank all of the staff who have worked for us over the last three and a half years especially Ronnie our head chef,” the pair said.

“She has been a great help and support to us over the last few months and a sounding board as we have navigated the new world of hospitality in what will be a post COVID-19 world.”

Ettie’s owners also thanked their customers who supported their vision to bring some “elegance back” to the Hobart dining scene.

“We hope you enjoyed what we put together for you,” the post said.

“As we are making this decision of our own choice it is not goodbye forever. We know how strong the Ettie’s brand is and in the future will look for a new beautiful space to bring Ettie’s back to the Hobart hospitality scene and when we do we hope to see your smiling faces again.”

In March, Mr Windsor told The Mmercury they had been pulling out all the stops to find ways to keep staff at work and money flowing through to local suppliers.

“We’ll stay open as long as people keep coming in and we’re making enough to cover costs, but if they’re not coming in we’ll obviously have to reassess,” Mr Windsor said at the time.

The last few months have been like nothing our industry has ever experienced before. We were all forced to shut down for...

Posted by Ettie's on Sunday, 26 July 2020