La Maison du Patissier is forced to close down as popular cafe’s extraordinary trail of debt is revealed
A popular Queensland cafe has been forced to close after its massive debt burden came to light.
La Maison du Patissier, which was founded by a French couple in Cooroy before moving to Meridan Plains on the Sunshine Coast, went into administration earlier this month.
Documents published by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) show that ACJM Pty Ltd, the company behind the cafe, had at least $258,383 in debt.
The café, founded by Eric and Francoise Pernoud, was taken over earlier this year by new owners Andrew Ackerman and Jade Le Moeligou, the Courier mail reported.
In an online post, company directors said the cafe could not continue after “a very difficult situation” forced them to close suddenly.
“Unfortunately, we have to share some bad news, we have had to close the store with immediate effect,” the post said.
“We have found ourselves in a very difficult situation about which we cannot release any information, but which has ultimately forced us into liquidation.
‘We would like to thank everyone who has supported the company over the years and apologize to those we have let down.
La Maison du Patissier (pictured) was founded by a French couple in Cooroy before moving to Meridan Plains on the Sunshine Coast
“We didn’t want it to be this way, but we can’t repair the damage that has been done.”
The company subsequently closed its Instagram and Facebook pages.
ASIC documents show the company is worth just $45,000.
About $20,000 of the debt is owed to priority creditors, including former employees and people owed a pension guarantee.
About $29,442 is owed to the Australian Taxation Office and about $145,044 is owed to Westpac.
Co-founder Mr. Pernoud is also listed as a creditor and is owed approximately $39,991.
Mr. Ackerman and Ms. Le Moeligou are listed as the current directors of the company.
Clifford Sanderson has been appointed to complete the liquidation of ACJM Pty Ltd.