Popular wedding venue and restaurant becomes another COVID closure
An Adelaide Hills wedding venue and restaurant has shut its doors, with the owner saying he has lost everything.
Maximilan’s in Verdun shut its doors without warning, with owner Andrew Friebe telling The Advertiser that the closure was due to longstanding dispute with the landlords and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions.
Six couples who had booked the venue for their wedding have been contacted, as well as those who had restaurant bookings.
“I’ve lost everything,” Friebe said. “I’m going through the worst time of my life despite trying my very best over so many years. It is demoralising to say the least.”
The dispute between landlords Maximilian and Louise Hruska and respondents Friebe and Maxcem Pty Ltd. is currently in court.
The Hruskas claim Friebe owes $500,000 and has not paid rent for several years. The respondents have counter claimed.
The restaurant and venue have been popular since the Hruskas opened 45 years ago.
“Whilst I am saddened (to say the least) by the decision forced upon me to cease trading … it has now become clear that this is the only responsible course of action for all creditors, customers, and employees,” Friebe wrote to those who had booked the venue.
“Despite the impossible financial position this has now put me in – I give you my commitment that I will return all deposits paid towards your booking.”
Mother’s Day bookings were also affected.
“We advise that due to not only the impact of over two years of severe Covid-19 restrictions imposed on us by Govt decree (which had an enormous negative impact on the business), but also a longstanding dispute (with the landlord) (some 14 months and counting); Maximilian’s has been forced to close for the time being as of 7th of May 2023,” the email to guests read.
“We are not in a position to accept any bookings or enquiries at this point in time.”
A court judgment is expected by the end of June.
Jonathan Jackson, 15th May 2023
