The end of an era: East Tamaki's iconic Fisher House Bar and Grill has closed its doors, leaving the community in shock. Located in Highbrook, the restaurant had been a staple in the area for many years, but it appears to have succumbed to the challenging economic climate.
The East Tamaki Business Association expressed its disappointment at the news, stating that the closure of another iconic restaurant, such as SPQR, in the city center just a few weeks ago, was a clear indication of the difficulties faced by the hospitality industry.
PKF Corporate Recovery and Insolvency (Auckland) Limited has been appointed as the liquidator of the business.
A notice on the restaurant's door initially read, 'Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, Fisher House is closed. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.' The notice has since been removed.
The restaurant's website still features a historical introduction to the building, which dates back to the 1960s when it was built as part of the Ra Ora Stud, a thoroughbred horse farm owned by Sir Woolf and Lady Fisher.
Mark Nicholls, a director of Fisher House, expressed his sadness on social media, stating that his dream had come to an end. He thanked the community for their support but acknowledged the pain of losing his job and those of his employees.
The closure of Fisher House is seen as a significant blow to the hospitality industry, which is already struggling to cope with the economic downturn. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the remaining businesses in the area.