Neil’s Perry’s daughter Josephine’s first restaurant failure
Josephine Perry is following in her father Neil’s footsteps. As a result, she last year opened a Potts Point restaurant Missy French.
As the name suggests, the venue in Rockwall Crescent was French inspired.
Unfortunately, the restaurant has closed down.
This week she had the tough job of telling the 30 people who worked there that the business would cease to operate. And that, she said, was effective immediately.
She told staff the restaurant’s lease was now in the hands of a well-known restaurateur who was planning to open another venue on the site.
But her dad is standing by her. After all, Neil Perry has been around the block several times and has gone through challenging times himself.
"Certainly 22 is the age [to face your first a closure], not 50. I've spoken to her and given advice along the way, but she is also her own girl," Perry told goodfood.com.au
"She said she felt terrible about telling her staff. I've done it, I know how it feels."
In his view, the big problem for Missy French was location. Being off the main drag, it just didn’t get the passing trade.
“There was a Japanese restaurant there a long time ago, but people haven't headed down Rockwall Crescent to eat at that spot for years," Perry said.
As for his girl, she says she’s learned from the experience and she’s taking it in her stride. She’s even planning to move overseas.
"I'd like to see her travel,’’ Jospehine told goodfood.com.au “There's a lot of stress running a business, she's learnt some great lessons. Take some time out then get back into it."
Of course, she isn’t Robinson Crusoe.
The restaurant business is tough and there have been a number of high profile restaurant closures this year including Mark Best’s Marque, Silvereye, and Frank Camorra’s Movida.
by Leon Gettler, October 14th 2016
