Auckland's iconic Gypsy Tea Room will pour its last drinks at the end of August. Photo / Annaleise Shortland
The co-owner of one of Auckland’s most iconic bars says he has been left “humbled” by a wave of support from devastated patrons after news emerged the Gypsy Tea Room is being forced from its Grey Lynn home.
Brett Simeti said customers had flooded him with messages of love, solidarity and “serious” offers of potential new locations after the Herald revealed the Richmond Rd institution would close by the end of August.
This is when the building’s owner, Barfoot & Thompson, plans to begin redeveloping the premises.
The looming closure threatens jobs, a loyal community hub and a piece of Auckland’s hospitality history that regulars say feels like home.
Barfoot & Thompson director Stephen Barfoot acknowledged the bar’s iconic status and said the decision was not made lightly.
Simeti said he had received a “massive outpouring” of support since the news was revealed by the Herald on Tuesday.
“I was up there for quite some time yesterday afternoon and evening, so I could front up to all our lovely customers.
“They wanted to share their support, love and solidarity, which was really lovely. It was genuine, heartfelt and very humbling.
“The emotions people were conveying made me realise even more than I already did the effect the Gypsy has had on people’s lives, their relationships and their connection with the community,” he said.
“There’s a real emotional connection there.”
A “real positive” from the news being shared was the offers Simeti had received from people about potential new locations for Gypsy.
“I’ve certainly had people reaching out with some definitive options for me to look at, which I’m working my way through at the moment.”
His workers were “stunned” when they heard the news, which was broken to them before the public was told.
Simeti employs 11 staff across Gypsy and his other location in Herne Bay, Elbow Room, and expects he will have to reduce his workforce by about 50%.
There had been “whisperings” about the closure, and some customers had asked staff for confirmation over the past few weeks, Simeti said, but the news still came as a shock.
However, Simeti said his staff’s reactions “surprised and humbled” him.
“Their main concern was Gypsy. Their love for the place and their connection to it really came through, along with their pledge of support and willingness to help us move forward from this.
“It was amazing.”
The bar’s owners lodged a caveat in 2018 to uphold a verbal lease agreement with the previous owners. But Simeti said the caveat was withdrawn “in good faith” the following year, with hopes the property would be sold to someone happy to continue the lease arrangement.
He said when the property was sold to Barfoot & Thompson in October 2021, it was “all roses and flowers” until discussions began about potential redevelopment of the site.
Barfoot & Thompson told the Herald it had been honest with Gypsy about the plans.
The company had “previously spoken about our desire to breathe new life into the building by restoring, protecting and renovating its existing historic features and expanding the footprint to include new retail and commercial office space”.
Simeti said he held on to hope and continued to engage with Barfoot but had refused the company’s offer to move the bar next door.
“It just would not be the same. This place is our home, not next door.”
Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.
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