A note on the Joe’s Garage website says the Wellington cafe is currently closed.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Joe’s Garage Wellington has been placed into liquidation.
James Whelan from Joe’s Garage Franchise Services Ltd said as franchisor, they will be engaging with the Official Assignee regarding the liquidation.
“We are seeking to understand what, if any pathway may exist for the Wellington business to continue.
“We will continue to work with the liquidator as the position develops.”
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Russell Fildes said as the court-appointed liquidator, the Official Assignee had “no involvement with, or knowledge of, the company’s affairs prior to the appointment”.
“The Official Assignee is therefore in the process of gathering information, securing records, and assessing the company’s financial position and activities from the date of appointment.
“Information regarding the company’s financial position, the liquidator’s investigations, and any actions taken will be provided in the first liquidator’s report, which will be publicly available through the Companies Office website once completed on 4th November.”
Regular customers have reacted to the news online, expressing their disappointment.
“Damn. One of our favourite places and with such a good loyalty system, friendly staff and delicious food. Thoughts with all the staff and the owners. Running a small business is hard,” one former customer wrote.
“Decent food at a good price. Fantastic staff. I hope the staff are looked after,” said another.
“My Saturday happy place. Lovely food and coffee. Staff are awesome hope they are ok,” one comment reads.
Others pondered the reason for the closure, with one pointing to reduced footfall as a potential cause.
“Hard for hospitality to survive in the inner city when so many people only come into the office 2-3 days per week.”
Wellington has seen a string of hospitality closures over the past few years, with some high-profile losses, including Shepherd, Field & Green, Olive, Bordeaux Bakery, Pandoro, Mabel’s, Myrtle, Egmont St Eatery, Nikau Cafe and Chocolate Fish Cafe.
The past year has, however, seen a wave of new eateries opening, including Gravel & Grace, Octo, Awaji, Suede, Onk, Parla, Cloudbuster and Glou Glou.
Grace Symmans is a Wellington-based reporter who covers news in the capital. Grace joined NZME in 2025 as a producer for Wellington Mornings on Newstalk ZB.