A long-standing waterfront restaurant has announced its imminent closure after it said it had been served with an eviction notice.
Tides Waterfront Dining has operated on the Bulcock Beach Esplanade at Caloundra for about 20 years and was twice recognised with Chef’s Hat awards by the Australian Good Food Guide.
But in a social media post over the weekend, the restaurant revealed it would be closing by the end of the month.
“We are devastated to announce that next Saturday, March 28, will be our last dinner service,” it said.
“We have not been given an opportunity to negotiate an extension to find another premise and so we have no choice but to close the doors.”
Owner Andrew Strange, who has been with Tides for about seven years, told Sunshine Coast News he received the notice to leave about a month ago.
“About four weeks ago we got an eviction notice saying they’re going to do some work on the building and want us out in about six weeks,” he said.
“So, 20 years of stuff there and giving us six weeks to get out.”
He said the most difficult part of the closure was having to cancel bookings.
“Last week I was having to phone up weddings – we’ve got weddings and functions booked throughout the year,” he said.
“One next month we’ve had booked for over a year. I had to phone the bride and say, ‘Sorry, we can’t do it.’”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Mr Strange said the restaurant was on a month-to-month lease.
“About two-thirds of the way through last year they (the property managers) wouldn’t actually give us a lease, so we were on a month-to-month and that was the problem. I kept asking, ‘When’s the lease coming? When’s the lease coming?’” he said.
“They said they were sending an email, they were looking into it. Then she (the property manager) came down and handed me a letter (an eviction notice).”
Mr Strange said he had looked into relocating the restaurant but the short timeframe had made it difficult.
“Hog’s Breath became available last week – I contacted them but they’re not wanting to rent it out, they’re going to sell it – and I did look at another site,” he said.
“It’s too quick. We’ve got things booked. You can’t just pick up and move within six weeks. The timeframe isn’t realistic.
“For a business that’s been there 20 years … even six months would have been tough, but six weeks.”
It comes after Mr Strange set up a GoFundMe campaign called ‘Save Tides Waterfront Dining – A Caloundra Community Icon’ late last week.
“We are raising funds to cover urgent legal fees so we can challenge this eviction and fight for the future of Tides,” it states.
“This isn’t just about a business. It’s about protecting local jobs; preserving a beloved gathering place; standing up for fairness during a deeply uncertain transition; keeping a space that means so much to so many; (and) supporting a local icon that has been here for more than 20 years.
“Without immediate legal action, we risk losing everything – not because we failed, but because we didn’t have time to fight.”
Mr Strange, who is also a renowned chef, said messages of support on social media had been some consolation.
“(But) it also makes it tougher. They’re not just customers – we have people who come in every week. They’re part of Tides,” he said.
“It’s not just a restaurant … it’s an institution for Caloundra.
“If it was due to other reasons, like not trading well, that would be different. But we are trading well and the rug’s been pulled out from under us.
“It’s tough seeing 20-odd staff go to the wayside, they’re all splitting up and going to different places. Most have been there a long time. I don’t have seasonal staff – they’re full-time.
“I’ve got one who’s been there seven years, the whole time I’ve been there. Most of the others are years, not months.”
Related story: Beloved family cafe closes after more than a decade
The post from Tides – whose website says it opened in January 2008 – paid tribute to the restaurant’s clientele over the years.
“Andrew and the team would like to thank everyone for their patronage and support, and look forward to seeing you to say goodbye,” it said.
The nearby Hog’s Breath Cafe announced it had closed permanently earlier this month after more than 15 years on the Bulcock Beach Esplanade.
The property manager was contacted for comment.
