By Sonia Isaacs
ONE of Maleny’s best-known hospitality venues has closed its doors, ending a decade-long association with the Brouhaha name and delivering a blow to the hinterland’s hospitality sector, as operators warn rising costs are making it increasingly difficult for regional businesses to survive.
The Brouhaha-branded Kitchen & Taproom on Coral Street announced its closure last Monday, thanking loyal customers, staff, local farmers, producers and suppliers for their support after what it described as months of careful consideration.
Operators said escalating costs, wage pressures, rising overheads and changing consumer spending had made the business unsustainable.
“Like many hospitality businesses across Australia, we have faced increasing operating costs, wage pressures, rising overheads and changing consumer habits,” the Brouhaha Maleny team said.
“While we worked hard to adapt and evolve the business, we ultimately felt that closing the venue was the most responsible decision for our family and our future.”
The closure has impacted both full-time and casual staff, although the operators said most employees had already secured new local work after being given as much notice as possible.
They also said recruiting and retaining hospitality staff in the hinterland was difficult. Despite the closure, the operators said they were proud of creating a venue that championed local produce and became a popular gathering place for residents and visitors.
“We love the fact it was the place Maleny locals brought friends and family if they wanted a meal showcasing local produce and beer,” they said.
Maleny Commerce president, David Lulham, said the closure was disappointing for locals and visitors.
“Economic circumstances this year have made it difficult for the Australian hospitality sector and many small businesses,” he said.
“While there are challenges, Maleny continues to have a bright future and there are great opportunities for existing and new businesses in our town. Maleny Commerce urges locals to keep supporting our small businesses and will continue to advocate for them.”
The announcement, made on Monday, June 29, prompted an outpouring of community support online, with many describing the closure as a significant loss for the town and expressing concern about the number of business closures in Maleny including Spill Wine and Bar most recently.
While many patrons associated the venue with Brouhaha Brewery, the company clarified it has not owned or operated the Maleny site since February 2024.
Brouhaha founder and director Julian Leigh said the original brewery had shifted production to its Baringa facility in 2023 before the Maleny venue was sold to independent operators under a licensing agreement.
“Maleny is where Brouhaha began and it will always be a significant part of our story,” he said.
“Our brewery, venue and production facility in Baringa continue to perform strongly, and we are investing in additional capacity to meet growing demand.”
Established in Maleny in 2016, Brouhaha grew from a small hinterland brewery into a major Sunshine Coast craft beer brand.
The Baringa brewery and taproom will continue trading and the company will honour valid gift vouchers issued through the former Maleny venue.