One of Auckland’s longest surviving restaurants is making a desperate final plea to be saved.
The Mexican Cafe on Victoria St West, opposite the Sky Tower, is urgently seeking a buyer, investor or hospitality operator to rescue the struggling eatery after 43 years in business.
Owner Bruce Glover said the diner had suffered through years of disruption caused by City Rail Link (CRL) construction and now risks folding just as the project is finally set to open later this year.
“It’s heartbreaking. So near, yet so far,” he said.
“The Mexican Cafe is part of Auckland’s culture and heritage now. It has almost become an institution. It is loved by the people of Auckland.”
The restaurant, which opened in 1983, employs 19 staff, whose jobs are all on the line if a buyer or investor cannot be found, Glover said.
Despite the challenges, he believes the business has “long-term potential” under new ownership, especially because of its prime location.
The Mexican Cafe sits just 30m from Te Waihorotiu Station, which is projected to be the country’s busiest train station when it opens later this year.
SkyCity and the New Zealand International Convention Centre are directly across the street, while thousands of inner-city apartment residents and future CRL commuters are expected to drive significant foot traffic through the area.
Mexican Cafe owner Bruce Glover says the restaurant has suffered through years of disruption caused by City Rail Link. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
“Generations of Aucklanders have celebrated birthdays, first dates, anniversaries and special occasions within its walls, making it one of the city’s most enduring hospitality institutions,” he said.
The sale opportunity includes the business name, brand and trademarks, with the owners open to outright sale, investment, partnerships or operational takeover arrangements.
“The Mexican Cafe brand would be instantly scalable because of its strength,” Glover said.
“I still believe this restaurant has an incredible future, I just need the right person to take it forward.”
The business previously opened a second restaurant in Christchurch, however, it was lost in the 2011 earthquake.
The appeal comes after the closure of a string of Auckland hospitality venues because of financial pressures.
Earlier this week, West Auckland restaurant The Grounds, opened by My Kitchen Rules New Zealand judge Ben Bayly announced it would close its doors for the final time on Sunday.
“What started as a restaurant became so much more – a place filled with laughter, celebrations, friendships, late nights, busy mornings, loyal customers, and unforgettable memories,” the business wrote on social media.
Last week, iconic downtown Auckland restaurant Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill announced it would close after becoming “no longer financially viable”.
Owners Good Group Hospitality said the venue had struggled with “lower sales and ever-increasing costs” in the years since the Covid pandemic.
Gypsy Tea Room owner Brett Simeti said messages of support had poured in since news of the venue's impending closure was announced. Photo / Annaleise Shortland
Meanwhile, Gypsy Tea Room co-owner Brett Simeti said support has poured in after the Herald revealed the Grey Lynn institution would close by the end of August.
Simeti said he had received an outpouring of messages from loyal customers, with several “serious” approaches from people offering potential new premises for the business.
“I’ve certainly had people reaching out with some definitive options for me to look at, which I’m working my way through at the moment,” he said.
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