Iconic Melbourne restaurant Ginger Boy closes its doors
Iconic Melbourne restaurant Ginger Boy has closed its CBD doors after 18 years in service.
The restaurant has closed due to financial issues, with chef and owner Teage Ezard saying diners would have to pay at least $50 for mains to keep their favourite eateries open.
“It was a mixture of low spending diners— if there were any at the restaurant— and rising cost of food and beverages,” Ezard said of the closure.
“Covid was good to us as we were actually making some coin. Ever since it’s finished, it’s gone down from there. It’s been a long and slow road and we’ve never recovered.”
Ezard has encouraged sMelbourne restaurants to raise their prices to stay afloat.
“We have to raise our prices, but the public don’t want us to raise our prices. We need to and there needs to be a conversation around that,” he said.
“Restaurants will not survive charging what they are charging.”
“That perception (of not spending $50 on mains) needs to change. We should be charging $50 or more on mains,” he said.
Ginger Boy revenue was down 20% to 30% in February 2024 and with winter approach, Ezard said things would only get tougher.
“It was a slow gradual build up over time. Revenue went down, costs went up and it got to the point we couldn’t go any further without jeopardising service and what we do,” Ezard said.
He also called for government support.
“I know (Covid) funding has dried up, but that kept us alive,” he said.
Gingerboy was regularly featured in the annual Best Restaurants Guide, Delicious 100.
Jonathan Jackson, 4th April 2024
