Calia Australia has officially gone bankrupt, less than two weeks after staff at the top Japanese restaurant were told they would be without jobs in the new year.
The company, which had stores in Melbourne, went bankrupt on Monday.
About 100 Calia Australia employees received an email on December 28 informing them that the chain’s stores in the Emporium and Chadstone CBD shopping center were closing.
Staff were also told that the company’s email accounts ‘will no longer be monitored’, and that they should direct all queries about wages and pensions to liquidation company Jirsch Sutherland.
The email stated that management had struggled to keep the chain afloat, but that ‘Covid-related debts’ and rising costs were forcing the chain to close.
Calia Australia has officially gone bankrupt, less than two weeks after staff at the top Japanese restaurant were told they would be without jobs in the new year
“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have to deliver the unfortunate news that Calia will be closing all Australian stores and operations from today, December 28, 2023,” the email read.
‘We understand this news may come as a shock to you, but this decision has not been taken lightly and we have worked tirelessly since the Covid lockdowns to keep our stores open.’
Staff were also instructed not to come to work.
“From now on, all agreements with suppliers will expire and all jobs will be redundant,” the email said.
‘This means that from now on all employees no longer have to attend services.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the hard work, dedication and commitment that each of you have contributed to Calia and to the thousands of customers you have helped us serve over the past decade.
“It’s the people that make a company, and you have been the heart and soul of us.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the liquidation company for more information.
Co-founder Jason Chang, a City of Melbourne councilor, blamed his financial problems on “the world’s longest lockdown”, despite it ending more than two years ago.
Calia is the second company founded by Mr Chang and his business partner Ricky Thien to face financial difficulties, followed by their Puzzle Coffee chain.
The email instructed Calia staff (above) not to go to work and directed all salary-related questions to the liquidator
Co-founder Jason Chang (pictured with his wife Clara), a City of Melbourne councilor, described Calia’s closure as ‘painful’
Calia Australia was founded in Melbourne in 2016 and described itself as ‘a balance of experience and excellence, driven by the pursuit of perfection for the modern gastronome’.
One Calia restaurant remains open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Calia Australia went into voluntary administration in June 2023, but continued trading in the hope of finding a way out of its financial difficulties.
A short time later, Mr Chang revealed on social media that he was “on council” while discussing the issues facing small businesses in Melbourne.
“I have now realized that no matter how strong I try to be, I am not immune to depression and anxiety,” he wrote.
‘When I broke down, I realized I needed help to cope with the emotional stress I was facing.
‘Please don’t be afraid to ask for help, we all need a shoulder to lean on sometimes.’
However, his words did not resonate with several employees, some of whom claim they are entitled to pensions from Calia.
In a statement, Mr Chang described the decision to close Calia Australia as “painful”.
“The financial viability of running a hospitality or retail business in Melbourne is becoming increasingly challenging,” he said.
‘The long-lasting impact of the world’s longest lockdown here, inflation leading to higher wages and operating costs, exacerbated by Covid-related debt, has left Calia in an unsustainable financial position as we have continually played catch-up over the past two years.’