Remembering the businesses we lost in 2024
Sunday, 29 December 2024
If 2024 is remembered for anything, it will be the number of closed businesses, especially in the hospitality and retail space.
This year has seen a cascade of headlines about eateries, bars, and other retailers closing their doors, with the financial pressure of inflation and the cost of living biting hard across New Zealand.
Auckland and Wellington were hit especially hard, with a series of well-known names in hospitality and retail announcing final curtain calls and wrapping up decades-long eras in the process.
In August, a Restaurant Association survey captured the mood of many, and showed that 76% of businesses throughout New Zealand reported having “worse or significantly worse” revenue compared to last year, with a drop in customer numbers cited as the biggest issue.
Given all this, and the sadness that comes when many much-loved businesses close for good, we thought it a good idea to remember some of the names that set sail into the sunset in 2024.
Homeland
Opened in 2020 by New Zealand chef Peter Gordon, Homeland was a restaurant and cooking school based in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.
However, in April, Gordon announced he was closing the venture after four years due to what he described as difficulties renewing the lease after the site was sold to a developer.
Gordon said he tried to find another site for the restaurant, but was unsuccessful, leading him to close.
Kate Sylvester
In April, fashion designer Kate Sylvester, who has dressed Bic Runga and Jacinda Ardern, along with other well-known names, announced she intended to close up shop in mid-2025 after 31 years in the business.
On making the announcement, Sylvester said she did not rush the decision but had been thinking about it while celebrating their 30th anniversary as a business.
Sylvester has spent the year preparing to wind down operations, including her three Auckland stores, saying she had done what she set out to do and that it was time to move on.
SPQR
It became one of the most iconic eateries on Auckland’s Ponsonby Rd, counting Mick Jagger and Duran Duran as guests, ensuring the news SPQR was closing its doors after 32 years was met with devastation by many.
The business was liquidated in July, with liquidators blaming operation costs and a downturn in hospitality post-Covid.
The spot has now been taken over by Bronwyn and Jessica Payne, who also own another Ponsonby bar, Hoppers Garden.
Jason Books
Auckland’s oldest-surviving secondhand book store, Jason Books, closed its doors for the final time on Christmas Eve, after 55 years in operation.
The shop opened in 1969, and current owner Maud Cahill had been operating it since 2002.
Cahill said it was time to retire, citing the end of the store’s lease and the tough operating environment for retail as reasons for the closure.
Nikau Cafe
After serving the people of Wellington for more than 25 years, but Nikau Cafe decided to call it a day in 2024.
Owners of the award-winning cafe blamed ongoing construction at Civic Square for their decision to close, saying it made it impossible for them to operate how they usually would.
The building the cafe operates out of was due to be closed for earthquake strengthening in 2025, as well, the cafe’s owners said, and attempts to find a new location for the cafe had proved fruitless so far.
Pandoro Bakery
Wellington bakery Pandoro announced the closure of its three stores in September, blaming the economic environment of trade in the capital.
Tony Beazley had been running the bakery for 28 years, but said mass redundancies in the public sector had 'absolutely gutted” conditions, with business the worst it had ever been.
Beazley said that because of the economic downturn, nobody was interested in buying into the hospitality business, making it hard to sell.
Bordeaux Bakery
It was a tough year for bakeries in Wellington, with multiple closures, including Bordeaux Bakery’s three stores.
In operation since 1994, owner Tony Bates pulled the plug, saying turnover had dropped by between 60 and 70%.
Bates said the business had gone from being profitable in February to “near bankruptcy” when it closed in October.
Big Gary’s
Iconic Christchurch burger joint Big Gary’s announced its closure in August after 40 years serving burgers to keen customers till the early hours.
Its cult following, especially among students, was likely due to it being open until 3am, with it turning into somewhat of a nightclub after dark on weekends.
Store owner David said business was “very bad” so he had to close to “survive”.
Parva Plants
Despite a whopping 56 years selling plants and gardening material, Parva Plants announced in November its doors were closing for the final time.
Owner Greg Tod said a 50% reduction in turnover over the past 12 months had left him and his wife, Jenny, “with no choice” but to close, having run the business since 2007.
Tod said they had tried to keep the business going, but cited a “downturn in the economy” and “falling interest in gardening” as reasons for the closure.
Curiosity
It was a favourite for tourists and locals for 30 years, but Tauranga gift shop Curiosity couldn’t survive what the owner called a “dead” town, closing its doors in January.
Known for selling bongs and buddha incense holders and body piercing, Curiosity was a mecca for alternative culture in the Bay of Plenty city since it opened in 1993.
On the decision to close, co-owner Rhozie Edmonds said Tauranga had become a ghost town, with continued roadworks, construction and issues with parking driving people out of the CBD and “killing businesses”.
Other notable closures in 2024
The Grove
Anderson Outfitters
Laser Force Wellington
Lord of the Fries
Tiger Burger
Omni
Roxy’s
Army Surplus
Coatesville Market
Hiakai
Shepherd
Concord Bistro and Bar
Rubix
Sugarwoods
Madame George
Alley Cantina
Conch Kitchen & Bar
Flotsam & Jetsam
Harvest by Huckleberry
Trade Aid
The Wine Cellar
Bamboo Tiger
Egmont St Eatery
Pilkingtons
Wild Orchard
White By Design
Geoff’s Emporium
Myrtle
Mabel’s
Kaukau
Olive
Apache
Vivace