Latest news with #PublicHouse
Herald Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Richmond pub The Kingston collapses into administration
One of Melbourne's most historic pubs is facing an uncertain future as its owners grapple with financial strife. The Kingston, a heritage-listed venue on Highett St in Richmond dating back to the 1850s, has collapsed into insolvency, with administrators undertaking an urgent sale campaign. The Richmond institution is owned by the De Fraga family, spearheaded by husband and wife duo Jonathan and Chantal De Fraga, who are prominent names in Melbourne's hospitality scene. It can also be revealed that the De Fraga family sold off two other popular Richmond venues – Public House and the Swan Hotel. It is understood both venues were purchased by hospitality giant Australian Venue Co., with settlement completed in October 2024. The Kingston, which employs 29 staff, advertises itself online as a 'sophisticated yet relaxed hotel and dining experience, nestled in the quiet leafy streets of Richmond'. The hotel has recently undergone an extensive revamp, estimated to cost $1.5m, including a newly renovated public bar, deck and beer garden, and the addition of ritzy restaurant Marble & Pearl, showcasing premium Australian beef and local seafood. In the mid-1970s, The Kingston was a significant early player in the development of inner-city pubs as music venues, hosting bands including the Pelaco Brothers, Skyhooks and Crossfire For six years in the 1980s, it became an all-lesbian run pub, with the late Pat Longmore as its licensee. The pub, which is housed in a corporate vehicle called Trident Star Enterprises, previously faced a winding up application by the Australian Tax Office lodged in the Federal Court in January this year. Winding up notices are usually issued by creditors of a company in order to enforce the payment of a debt. If the debt is found legitimate and a company is unable to pay, the business is usually placed into liquidation by the court. The winding up application has since been adjourned and the company was placed into voluntary administration, with Daniel Juratowitch and Rachel Burdett of Cor Cordis appointed administrators on March 11. A Cor Cordis spokesman told the Herald Sun they had run a successful sales campaign, which attracted strong interest from potential purchasers. 'A number of interested parties are now undertaking due diligence in relation to the company's affairs and future prospects,' they said. The spokesman said the De Fraga family may consider proposing a deal to creditors – known as a deed of company arrangement – although no formal proposal had been put forward at this time. They said a second meeting of creditors was not required to be held until July this year. 'The administrators will continue to fulfil their statutory duties and will keep creditors informed as the administration progresses,' they said. The Swan Hotel was also housed in the company Trident Star Enterprises, while Public House was run by Mr De Fraga's company Public House Consolidated, which has since entered liquidation, a notice lodged with ASIC earlier this week reveals. Mr De Fraga had previously completed an estimated $3m renovation on Public House in 2020. It comes after the appointment of administrators to Trident Star Enterprises ended up in the Supreme Court of Victoria this week, after Cor Cordis legal representatives discovered a technical defect with the process of their appointment. The appointment had been made by Mrs De Fraga using the power of attorney after the court revealed Mr De Fraga had been diagnosed with a serious illness – an act found to be legally ineffective. But the court decided that the appointment was ultimately valid, citing the administrators' good faith, urgency and need to avoid disruption. Justice Paul Cosgrave said the administrators had already taken substantive steps in conducting the administration. 'Primarily, they have continued to operate the Kingston Hotel business and have procured the transfer of the liquor licence,' he said. 'It is likely that any challenge to the validity of their appointment would be disruptive to the business and create further inconvenience and potential loss to creditors.' The Kingston was contacted for comment.
CBC
21-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Bride left scrambling after historic Paradise restaurant shutters without warning
The sudden closure of the Woodstock Public House in Paradise is forcing couples who had booked the venue for their weddings to scramble for an alternative arrangement. "I was really upset at first and then tried to collect my composure as best I could. But yeah, we're still really sad about it and just really disappointed for the most part," Vanessa Bursey told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. Bursey said a venue is like a wedding's centrepiece, and losing it felt like her plan was falling apart. The couple had made a $1,000 deposit in December after the events manager indicated other couples were eyeing the same wedding date, she said, and a down payment would secure it. "That's definitely our next challenge, is trying to get some communication with the restaurant and the owners to have that deposit refunded," Bursey said. "We were told that the person who we spoke to — who I later found out was indeed the owner — was, quote, 'just the messenger' and that they would be in contact this week about a deposit." So far, she said, no one has followed up. Bursey has been in contact with other couples who had their wedding plans cancelled. They also haven't heard back about their deposits. Almost a century The Woodstock, which opened in 1927, has been a fixture in Paradise for almost a century. It has passed through the hands of several owners in that time. Brendon O'Rourke, the most recent owner, took over the business when it was called the Woodstock Colonial Restaurant in 2019 and renamed it the Woodstock Public House. O'Rourke made the closure announcement over social media on March 6. "Despite the difficulties of the pandemic and the industry since that time, we have kept our heads down doing the work that Woodstock was meant to house," O'Rourke wrote. "It has been the joy of a lifetime to get to know all the staff and patrons of the Woodstock. I hope that the next proprietors will live up to the legacy that has been left before us." The March 6 post has dozens of responses, primarily from people reminiscing about special events they'd had at the restaurant over the years. Some asked about gift certificates they had purchased. CBC News has asked O'Rourke for an interview, but did not receive a response. Bursey says she has since found another venue, but The Woodstock had sentimental importance. "It wasn't just a generic wedding venue for us, it was something that definitely had a lot of meaning," she said. "We don't want to be burned again. But we found a venue that we are very confident we are going to treat us well and hopefully this won't happen again."
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Metro Grand Rapids restaurant owners turn to community for support
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — When a business closes, people lose their livelihood, they lose a place they built memories and they lose an important piece of their community. 'Independent local businesses really are the charm and the character that make our city what it is,' Rachel Lee, owner of River North Public House, said. Lee opened the restaurant in Grand Rapids' Creston neighborhood in July 2019. 'River North is one of my dreams, providing excellent food and service and beverages in a really beautiful restaurant and in one of like the best neighborhoods in Grand Rapids,' Lee told News 8. Neighborhood wonders what's next after Creston Brewery closes Now, she's at a crossroads. 'When we opened, we were so excited to be part of this neighborhood. Within the first six months, two other restaurants announced that they were going to have projects across the street,' Lee explained. That never happened. The lack of new businesses bringing more people to the area, the COVID-19 pandemic and a lot of major street construction have stunted River North's growth. 'I'm showing up with my game day face and we're doing things a little differently here to be a little bit more conservative on how we're spending and also trying to not have to pass the increase price increases on to our guests. We don't like surprise service charges or anything like that,' Lee said. She said it's a challenge for small businesses to stay afloat with the current state of the economy. That's why she turned to the community to be transparent. 'Community support will determine if River North remains open past April,' Lee wrote in a . 'Yes, we know that's soon. Yes, we believe in River North, we believe in the vitality of this neighborhood and community.' The post went on to inform people how they could help and that their support 'helps preserve jobs, sustain families, and ensures that unique, independently owned restaurants continue to thrive in the beautiful Creston neighborhood.' Lee said it hurt to hear the news that Monday. 'Every day that you hear a business closes its doors, it's felt by all of us,' she told News 8. 'It hurts a lot of us, not just as a restaurant owner, but it hurts us as a neighbor, and it hurts as someone that cares about the vitality of our business districts in Grand Rapids.' That's why she believes that is it not only OK, but at times necessary to ask for help. Lakeshore community steps up to help new restaurant stay open 'I think that by being transparent, it gives us that opportunity to show up with an extra Hail Mary pass and say, 'Hey, we want to be here and we need you and we want to be part of this community,' she said. Lee isn't the only one to turn to utilize that 'Hail Mary.' Jenna Arcidiacono, well-known owner of Amore Trattoria Italia and founder of , took to social media on Wednesday to share that her restaurant had 19 guests total in one night. 'I am not telling you this so you feel sorry for us. It's just to try to explain why you are seeing way too many local places closing lately,' read in part. 'The days where we are slow, we are bleeding money. Just like any other small business. Many small businesses including restaurants don't have an infinite rainy day bank account. Hence, these closures. Please don't blame it on politics- it's been leading up to this for years,' the post continued. 'If you can support local, now is the time.' Lee said she acknowledges that her team and the business district have work to do, but she's grateful for the response she's gotten so far. 'This is happening to a lot of small, independent businesses in Grand Rapids and so I think that people understanding the impact of what a closed business does for an area and neighborhood, it's really helping the community work together to say these places matter, these are part of our neighborhood and we are community and it's really a beautiful thing for us,' she said. She's hopeful that support will continue and said there are a lot of ways people can help. Of course, dining in or placing an online or catering order are appreciated, but there are smaller, cheaper ways to help like including leaving a review, sharing a post or simply spreading the word. Rockwell Republic, latest GR restaurant to close, cites pandemic habits and rising costs Every Wednesday in March, River North is hosting : 10% of sales will go toward supporting a different nonprofit each week. The was the restaurant's first featured partner Wednesday night. 'We think this is a really good win-win opportunity to support our local businesses and support our nonprofits,' Kristina Colby, interim executive director of CNA, said. 'We have a really good relationship with River North Public House and we're just looking forward to continuing that relationship.' Lee said it's an opportunity for the nonprofits to raise some money and get some exposure while bringing business into the restaurant. River North also hopes to expand its services by hosting more events and private parties in its venue. 'We're part of the Creston neighborhood. We're part of the fabric, and we want to keep our doors open,' Lee said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Watch live: Bergen County St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025 show
The 2025 Bergen County St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 16, in downtown Bergenfield. annual live parade broadcast will capture all of the action on Washington Avenue, along with historical images of the parade and interviews with parade officials, dignitaries and more. Click on the video player above to watch the parade in real time. And here's an easy-to-remember web address to get to this page from any computer, smartphone or other connected device: . Sweepstakes: Enter here for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Tommy Fox's Public House Looking for more? Check out the video replay and photos from the 2024 Bergen County St. Patrick's Day Parade. Events: Here are North Jersey's St. Patrick's Day events for 2025 This article originally appeared on Watch St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025 livestream from Bergen County
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public House in Ferndale closing in 2 weeks, to be replaced by Sidecar Slider Bar
Citing tough economic times in the industry, the owners of Public House restaurant in Ferndale announced it will close in February, with a Michigan restaurant chain expected to move into the space. Located on Nine Mile road for a dozen years, Public House offers a menu of classic bar food including sliders and craft cocktails. According to its website, the Public House menu offers wings, sandwiches, soups, fish and chips and smoked mac and cheese, and features a weekend brunch menu. Formerly owned by the Working Class Outlaws restaurant group, Public House closed during the pandemic. Brian Kramer, owner of Ferndale-based Hometown Restaurant Group, acquired the restaurant in 2020 and reopened in 2021 with new features, including adding a second kitchen, a four-season garden room, flower wall and offering more vegan fare. Kramer, CEO of Hometown Restaurant, called the decision to close "difficult" and "heartbreaking." 'The restaurant business is very difficult right now. In my 30-plus years in the restaurant business, I've never experienced a tougher economy than what we are experiencing today. Add to this the high food costs, high labor costs, intense competition, the need for constant quality control, tight profit margins and endless hours of work — we just agreed the time was right to close the restaurant, take a step back, focus on our other restaurant operations and give someone else a chance to re-concept the location.' More: Auto supplier Piston Automotive to create 144 jobs at old State Fairgrounds in Detroit Hometown Restaurant Group restaurants include One-Eyed Betty's, Pop's for Italian and Tigerlily. As Public House winds down its operation, the restaurant will be open Friday-Sunday only with limited hours. Public House's final day is Feb. 9 with brunch service from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sidecar Slider Bar will take over the Public House space and is expected to open quickly, Hometown Restaurant Group said. This will be Sidecar Slider Bar's eighth location. Others are in Birmingham, Brighton, Farmington, Grosse Pointe, Lansing, Plymouth and Sterling Heights. Sidecar Slider Bar is known for gourmet sliders, as well as shareables, salads, gourmet dogs and more. Kramer said the new concept will fit well with the current mix of offerings in the city's core. Savvy Sliders: Michigan-based chain to celebrate grand opening of Plymouth location Kramer, who owns the building that houses Public House, said the plans are to hand over the keys to Sidecar on Feb. 15. 'Sidecar is locally owned and operated, and will be a great addition to our Ferndale community," Kramer said. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Public House in Ferndale set to close in 2 weeks; Sidecar to move in
