Melbourne Restaurateur Cites Staff Challenges Amid Closure Announcement

In a recent announcement, Jeremy Schinck, the owner of two popular Melbourne restaurants, Pearl Chablis and Oyster Bar, and Pinchy’s, revealed that both establishments will close their doors permanently after struggling to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final service is scheduled for July 19, 2025, marking the end of a three-year venture in Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD). In his statement to *The Herald Sun*, Schinck attributed the decision to a combination of factors, including increasing debt, declining patronage in the CBD, and broader economic pressures stemming from the cost-of-living crisis.

Schinck highlighted an ongoing challenge in the hospitality sector: the difficulty of finding quality staff post-pandemic. He lamented a perceived decline in work ethic among new hires, stating, 'Work ethic after Covid has deteriorated. When you have inconsistencies and restaurants opening and closing, new staff aren't determined to do well in this job.' This sentiment reflects a growing concern within the industry regarding the commitment levels of younger workers, many of whom, according to Schinck, treat their roles with less seriousness.

'They think,