Modern Italian restaurant, SPQR has closed its doors, ending 32 years of operation.
Popular central-Auckland restaurant, SPQR, has announced its closure. A liquidation process commenced on Thursday, 11th of July.
Since it’s opening in 1992, SPQR has been a staple of Ponsonby Road’s bustling hospitality scene, serving up modern Italian cuisine. Co-liquidator Stephen Lawrence confirmed that SPQR was in voluntary liquidation and that a report would be due in five days.
Overhead costs have caused significant harm to the local hospitality sector since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Restaurant owners have voiced their concerns about the industry’s future, with many listing both the pandemic and the cost of living crisis as main reasons for its downfall.
SPQR owner, Chris Rupe, said in a statement that he was “really sorry” about the situation.
"I just wanted to say to everyone, that I really appreciate the support,” said Rupe.
"Thanks so much for your understanding, Aucklanders. I know you loyally share the love I've had for SPQR for the past 27 years.”
Rupe said that in the meantime, he hoped that many of SPQR’s customers would share their patronage with other locally owned hospitality businesses in the area, and to show support for the challenging, but highly rewarding job that they do.
Ponsonby residents have voiced their disappointment over the restaurant’s closure, with many in disbelief it had reached this point.
The liquidation came after a string of high-profile Auckland restaurants closed their doors in recent months. It was only a matter of weeks before when fellow Ponsonby Road staple Chapel Bar & Bistro announced it had gone into receivership. In early 2024, well-respected New Zealand chef, Peter Gordon announced his flagship restaurant 'Homeland' would close in Auckland's viaduct area. The viaduct area has also faced specific loss of business, following the temporary closure of its popular footbridge.
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