The Epocha restaurant in Melbourne CBD will close its doors after 12 years due to economic pressures.
Its last day of service will be on September 14.
“The decision to close has not been easy,” co-owners Angie Giannakodakis and Guy Holder said in a statement.
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“The iconic building that Epocha calls home is up for sale, and coupled with the broader economic challenges we all face, we feel now is the right time to end this era.”
Hospitality businesses have been on a decline, with one in 13 facing failure, according to CreditorWatch.
The industry relies on discretionary spending by consumers, which has dried up under the cost of living crisis.
Epocha opened on Rathdowne Street in Carlton in 2012 and quickly rose to become a city-favourite spot for modern European food, with a menu consisting of Greek, Spanish, French, Italian and English influences.
It has been more than just a restaurant, its owners said.
“It has been a place where we’ve seen all the things humans go through,” they said.
“It has brought us immense joy to listen to your stories, share in your celebrations, and offer you the care and service for which this restaurant has been so well known.”
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Epocha invited diners to join them in their final six weeks of service to farewell the restaurant.
“There will be wine tastings, surprise revisits, our menu’s greatest hits, a Baba’s Croatian feast, our iconic Sunday roasts, Monday hospo nights, and reopening Hannah’s bar for wine and snacks,” the owners said.
“We will close out our final service with an outstanding and unforgettable dinner to mark such a momentous occasion.
“As we bid Epocha farewell, the team looks forward to celebrating the spirit of Epocha with you – the love of food, hope, community, and shared experiences that have been at our core for over a decade.
“Your support, your loyalty, and you sharing your lives with us have been, without a doubt, the greatest honours of our careers.”
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