16/12/2024
THE END OF AN ERA. After 8 brilliant years of fiery flavours, clashing woks and electric nights, Long Chim Sydney will be serving its last dishes this Friday, 20th December.
To every guest who’s shared a meal with us, to our extraordinary team - past and present - you’ve been the heart and soul of Long Chim.
You brought life to our dining room, energy to our kitchen and made these 8 years unforgettable. We owe you more than words can say.
This isn’t goodbye forever, we're already planning what's next. Until then, don’t forget that is still open and bringing the heat.
And if you're in Sydney, be sure to visit some of our old team members who are doing epic things at , , , .club, ,
To Abacus, our landlords at Martin Place:
After 8 years, you’ve turned your back on us - and on the 50 people who work here - just days before Christmas.
For 2 years, scaffolding has blocked our original entrance, limiting accessibility for people with disabilities. A giant “For Lease” sign has sat in front of the empty Joe & The Juice site, vacant for 18 months, adjacent to our door. Access to our beautiful dining room has been through a disused old cafe for 2 years.
Since Covid abatements ended in June 2022 and we were returned to nearly $1 million in rent, we have consistently sought your support in accepting that rents are not where they were. You appointed external consultants to review our claim, and they confirmed that we were a good operator paying over-market rent, but this information was deemed unpalatable. We offered to take on a rolling 30-day contract, so you could see if a tenant could be found at a rental level that worked for you. You said no. We offered to reinvest in the space, to reinvigorate it once the scaffolding was removed. You said no.
Despite all this, we have loved our time in your building, and while the pain of losing our restaurant is great, we're already plotting our next move as you meet to brainstorm over how to fill your soon-to-be-vacant space.
We'll be back. Until then, stay spicy, Sydney.
With love and fire,
The Long Chim Sydney Team
