Liquidators appointed to Vic Park Larder

A deli and cafe on the Victoria Park dining strip has closed its doors, with a liquidator citing impacts from COVID as one of the reasons for the shutdown.

Cor Cordis partners Jeremy Nipps and Tom Birch have been appointed as liquidators of Gissi Pty Ltd, trading as Vic Park Larder at 401 Albany Highway.

In a recent social media post, Gissi owner Gino Lamelza announced the Vic Park Larder deli and cafe would not reopen in 2024.

“It’s been struggling since COVID, obviously Gino’s used all his valuable resources, but it’s got to the point that it’s not sustainable for him,” Mr Nipps said.

“There was a handful of staff still around, but they were all casual employees.”

Vic Park Larder opened in mid-2019.

Liquidators were appointed on Friday and a notice of the company’s liquidation was published by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission yesterday.

Mr Nipps said Vic Park Larder had three years left on the lease and a sale of the business was on the cards.

“There may be availability to sell, there’s a fit out in there,” Mr Nipps told Business News.

“The next step is working with the landlords; if there are parties interested there is certainly an opportunity in that.

“It’s very early days, we haven’t pieced [it all] together.”

Business News understands there could be debts owed to the Australian Taxation Office, suppliers and the landlord.

In the social media post, Mr Lamelza said he has been in the hospitality industry for 32 years and on the Victoria Park strip for almost 20 years.

Mr Lamelza ran other Victoria Park joints, including Italian bistro L’enoteca and Zucchero Espresso bar, which has become Social Manna cafe.

“This decision has not been an easy one to make, but personal circumstances have led to this decision,” he said.

“It's time for some healing, new challenges and a positive 2024.”