'Heaviest of hearts': Popular Ponsonby eatery announces closure 

A popular restaurant in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby is saying goodbye "with the heaviest of hearts" amid "incredibly challenging times" in the hospitality industry.

The owners of Southeast Asian fusion eatery Mekong Baby on Ponsonby Rd announced their decision to close after 13 years in business in a post to social media this evening.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have had to close the doors of Mekong Baby," the post said.

"We have poured our hearts into it. We have worked through long days, late nights, incredibly challenging times and all of the ups and downs that come with running a hospitality business. We have always believed that if we worked hard enough, cared enough and kept giving our best, we could keep going.

"But sometimes, hard work alone isn’t enough."

Owners Marcin and Jackie Kulak said the hospitality industry had "changed enormously over the last few years, and sadly, it has never truly returned to what it was before Covid".

"The economic pressures of the past few years have continued to build, making running Mekong Baby no longer financially sustainable," the Kulaks said.

"We have fought incredibly hard to keep going. Including selling our family home, and putting every penny to our name back into the business.

"Eventually, we had to accept that continuing was no longer viable."

The pair thanked their "incredible" staff, adding: "You have been such an important part of our story, the kindness and love you have shown us over the years & especially now during our darkest time, will never be forgotten".

"And to every single customer who has walked through the doors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

"With love, gratitude and broken hearts, Jackie & Marcin."

Around 3000 hospitality businesses have shut in the last 12 months, according to the latest figures from credit bureau Centrix.

In the hospitality sector, 422 companies went into liquidation in the past year – a 42% year-on-year increase.