Since a fire ravaged its building in early March, one Auckland restaurant owner has reopened after three months.
In what could be described as a very uncertain time for the industry, resilience and willpower are two of the biggest assets for hospitality operators to have. This has been evident for Raviz Indian Eatery, which was forced to close following a kitchen fire.
Located on the corner of Hobson and Victoria Street West, Raviz Indian Eatery has always been a popular spot for diners, especially due to its close proximity to tourist attractions like the Sky Tower.
No one was present in the building while the fire broke out, and damage was largely limited to the kitchen. Despite the building being insured by the body corporate and kitchen repairs covered, the business’s insurance had lapsed, meaning the rest was left to owner Ravraj Singh.
Repairs were paused for the first 60 days, which created a financial challenge for Singh and his team. In every way that they could, Singh’s family contributed to keep not only the business afloat, but also to support his family at the same time. With the restaurant as his only source of income, the past four months have been a constant uphill battle.
With no other option to reopen the business, Singh hired his own shopfitters, while the body corporate hired builders to undertake the necessary work.
Although the past 100 days have been among the most difficult to endure, Raviz Indian Eatery has eventually reopened. Locals and frequent customers have begun to return, and any setbacks caused by the fire have now disappeared.
Four staff have also returned following the fire, with suppliers and providers suspending bill payments until the restaurant had reopened.
While a wave of closures has continued to sweep the country, the story of Raviz Indian Eatery’s reopening has proven that with dedication and passion, as well as enormous support from friends and family, endurance is very much possible when the going gets tough.
Subscribe to the Restaurant & Café newsletter for weekly industry updates and event coverage.
