Hong Kong’s first French steakhouse closing after 23 years, and owner blames Occupy protests in part for decision
W’s Entrecote never got over the impact of 11-week sit-in that shut prime street near its Causeway Bay location, says owner, who also cites rising rents and competition as reasons for pending closure
A French restaurant that’s operated in Causeway Bay for 23 years will close in two months’ time, with its owner saying business never recovered from the impact of the Occupy protests.
The 2014 sit-in, which blocked prime thoroughfare Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay for 11 weeks, is one of a number of factors behind the closure of steakhouse W’s Entrecote, including a squeeze on profits and rising competition for customers, Wilson Kwok said on Tuesday.
“The last three years have been tough. It’s not just a matter of how much the landlord is increasing the rent, but the Occupy protests impacted us and business never really picked up again,” he said.
“We make a small profit margin for what we do. When I started in Times Square I was desperate for a space [so I signed the lease]. Then 10 years later it went up HK$20 more per square foot. I worked so hard for the money, but in the end what do I get?”