The Maybe Group’s co-founders Vince Lomardo and Stefano Catino have announced that the group is ending its partnership with Jon Adgemis’ Public Hospitality.
The announcement comes during turbulent times for Public, after losing its partnership with Love Tilly Group at the end of last year and he cessation of the operating contracts for Alpha restaurant and Beta Events.
Last month Public announced a restructure amid speculation surrounding the group’s finances. This week has also seen the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle Hotel listed for sale, and the building is home to Maybe Group’s award-winning El Primo Sanchez bar.
In a statement today Lombardo and Catino said that the ownership and operation of The Maybe Group’s venue’s Maybe Sammy and Maybe Frank will remain with The Maybe Group. El Primo Sanchez will transition from Public to The Maybe Group through a license agreement.
Lombardo said: “Stef and I believe we can best serve our venues by bringing them back under The Maybe Group ’s wing, and Jon has supported us in this decision.”
Catino confirmed the conclusion of the partnership will not disrupt the operation of the three venues.
“Although Maybe Sammy and Maybe Frank have been under the Public umbrella for the last year or so, we have continued to operate them as our own so there will be no change to the guest experience in those venues or El Primo Sanchez as a result of this transition,” Catino said.
The three venues will be operated by The Maybe Group as of Friday 12 July 2024. The Maybe Group also said it has agreed to review new venue collaborations with Public on a venue-by-venue basis.
The Maybe Group became part of the Public Hospitality portfolio in April last year, with hopes of bringing more venue concepts to life and expanding the successful Maybe Cocktail Festival to new locations including Melbourne and Byron Bay.
Bars and Clubs has contacted Public Hospitality for comment.
