Onzieme's Closure: Canberra's Hospitality Crisis

0:00One of Canberra's top spots, Anzim, is shedding its doors for good on May 30th. The five-year-old Kingston Brasserie was killing it with fresh dishes and even up for Sydney Morning Herald restaurant of the year in 20, 25. But owner, Louis Cowtopes, pulled the plug because of brutal staff turnover shifts he trains up, keep jumping ship. Koutubes opened the place back in October 2021 after a hit pop-up and a racked-up awards fast. He blames aggressive poaching by big city rivals offering 30 to 40% higher pay, leaving him to handle the heavy lifting on training. Newbies who barely know basics. Across Canberra's hospitality scene, it's the roughest patch in decades. Owner's space slam household budgets, endless staff shortages, young folks drinking less booze and produce prices through the roof. In a smaller city like this, filling tables on weekdays is aggrined over 60 spots in regional New South Wales, closed in the last 18 months. Alone.

1:00Other players echo the pain. Independence gets squeezed by chains with deep pockets, city construction and light rail mess up access and parking, and new government rules like long service leave jack up costs. Some are pivoting to food vans or casual holes in the wall for better balance and real-deal eats. Local loities are bright spot though, breweries and bars see crowds surge after venting online. Venues like those are adapting quick, banking on camera and sticking close, but the real test is if that support holds steady through the storm. Stay informed with Sydney News today, AI Powered Updates, I'm Corey with The Story.