La Maison du Patissier is forced to close down as popular cafe’s extraordinary trail of debt is revealed
A popular Queensland cafe has been forced to close after its huge level of debt was revealed.
La Maison du Patissier, which was started by a French couple in Cooroy before moving to Meridan Plains on the Sunshine Coast went into liquidation earlier this month.
Documents published by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) show that ACJM Pty Ltd, the company behind the cafe, had at least $258,383 in debts.
The cafe,which was set up by Eric and Francoise Pernoud, was taken over by new owners Andrew Ackerman and Jade Le Moeligou earlier this year, the Courier-Mail reported.
In an online post, the company directors said the cafe could not continue after ‘a very difficult situation’ forced them to suddenly shut.
‘Unfortunately we have to let you know some bad news, we have had to shut the shop effective immediately,’ the post said.
‘We have been put in a very difficult situation which we are unable to disclose any information about, but has ultimately forced us into liquidation.
‘We would like to thank everyone who has supported the business through the years and apologise to those we have let down.
La Maison du Patissier (pictured) was started by a French couple in Cooroy before moving to Meridan Plains on the Sunshine Coast
‘We didn’t want it to be this way but can’t fix the damage that has been done.’
The company has subsequently shut its Instagram and Facebook pages.
ASIC documents show that the business is valued at just $45,000.
Around $20,000 of its debt is owed to priority creditors, including former employees and people owed a superannuation guarantee.
About $29,442 is owed to the Australian Taxation Office and around $145,044 is owed to Westpac.
Co-founder Mr Pernoud is also listed as a creditor and is owed about $39,991.
Mr Ackerman and Ms Le Moeligou are listed as the current directors of the company.
Clifford Sanderson has been appointed to complete ACJM Pty Ltd’s winding up.
