In a note posted on the door of a popular restaurant chain, it was announced that they were closing.
The sign was posted online by a diner who noticed it outside The Bavarian Restaurant in Adelaide.
The sign said: “To our Bavarian Family, we would like to thank you for your support.
We’ve enjoyed giving you all a taste of Bavaria.
The sign read: “Unfortunately, Sunday, December 31st, 2023, will be The Bavarian Tea Tree Plaza’s last day in business.”
“Again, thank you and auf wiedersehen (good bye)!”
The Bavarian was the only South Australia-based location of the company. The state lost the popular German-themed restaurant after its closure.
The author of this online post was “surprised that they have lasted so long.”
They wrote: “I guess charging 30 dollars for a schnitzel with no chips didn’t pan out.”
Many people have expressed their sadness over the closure of the venue in comments and speculated as to why. They also agreed with the author.
One person wrote: “I love the concept, but I was always put off by the prices that seemed exorbitant.”
“Promised much but failed to deliver.” Another said, “Initially marketed as German Sports Bars but charged French Fine dining prices and weren’t setup to view sport!”
Third wrote: “What were they expecting with such mediocre, overpriced foods? “A 500ml of beer and a Schnitzel costs me $52, no way.”
Another sympathized with the closure of the restaurant: “It’s always a bummer when a restaurant closes down that had a clearly defined and feasible vision, as it is such a high-risk industry.”
“Like other people are saying, the concept is good but the price is a little too high.”
Around 30 Bavarian outlets are located in Australia, with most of them concentrated around Sydney and Brisbane.
Prices can vary depending on the location. However, customers should expect to pay about $28 for chicken shnittys with mushroom sauce.
The Bavarian’s owner, Pacific Concepts, also operates a number of other restaurant brands, including El Camino and Winghaus.
Others blamed the sudden closure of the restaurant on the increasing rental costs imposed by Westfields, owner of Tea Tree Plaza in Adelaide.
One person speculated that “Westfield charge rent like a raging tiger.”
They prefer vacant buildings to lower their rents (since it decreases their equity), and the majority didn’t give a discount when Covid shut down.
Some people joined in the conversation, citing several examples of Adelaide stores that had to close due to increasing commercial rental fees.
One person said: “With commercial buildings, the rent price determines the value of the building.”
You’re not only dropping the rent; you’re also wiping a large part of your capital value, reducing the net worth of your property and reducing the borrowing capacity.
Westfield Tea Tree Plaza’s spokesperson responded by saying that they “don’t comment on commercial agreements with our business partners.”