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A beloved inner-city restaurant has closed suddenly, leaving locals mourning what they say was a thriving community hub.
The closed door of Ben’s Vietnamese and Chinese Restaurant in Woolloongabba now has a sign taped to it, confirming its closure from March 1.
“After years in business, we regret to inform that Ben’s Restaurant will be closing its operations,” it says.
“Despite our best efforts to sustain the business, the unforeseen economic circumstances and also our lease end have forced us to make this difficult call.
“We thank you and can’t fully express our deep gratitude for your loyalty and support for the last 33 years.
“We wish you and your family all the best wishes.”
The restaurant has hosted everyone from 39th premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk to Serena Williams. The latter visited Ben’s after winning the Brisbane International tennis tournament in 2013, and helped sing Your Song by Elton John.
A local said online they were mourning the news.
“That place was an institution for over 33 years. I am in disbelief over this news, I really am. If you have ever been there, you will never forget it. Dinner, drinks, karaoke. It was the best.”
Others described a rowdy and fun restaurant known for its karaoke.
“I am so saddened by this news,” one person said. “Future generations will never experience the joy of having a tummy full of delicious Asian food and a restaurant full of strangers all singing You’re The Voice at the top of their lungs.”
Local Richard Ritchie was shocked to learn the restaurant had closed as he ate lunch with a friend downstairs on Tuesday.
“They constantly had people there,” he said.
Ritchie had visited the restaurant three or four times and said it was always full, with every table in use.
“It would have been 250 people in there.”
Ritchie said he had heard another restaurant in the complex’s rent is set to increase by $2000 a month at the end of their current lease, and thought this might have also impacted Ben’s.
Other business owners in the complex told this masthead the closure was sudden and unexplained, and they too thought the restaurant was popular.
Samdoo Corporation, which owns the Princess Plaza, has been contacted for comment.
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