The Goudblommeke in Papier (La Fleur en Papier Doré), an institution among cafés in Brussels, is bankrupt, according to a report on Tuesday in Bruzz, confirmed to Belga News Agency by the proprietors.
The current owners cite the Corona crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine as the reasons for the financial collapse of the café, which was declared bankrupt on Tuesday.
It is the end of an adventure for the current owners. They had taken over the legendary café after it was declared bankrupt 16 years ago.
“We have important and very sad news to report," the board of Het Goudblommeke in Papier cooperative notes with pain in its heart that it is no longer possible to continue the beautiful project after 16 years of efforts,” the board said in a statement.
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, all financial buffers had disappeared, but the initial revival after the café reopened in January 2022 raised hopes for the best. When the war in Ukraine broke out and its consequences, such as inflation and price increases, were felt, Goudblommeke in Papier saw its turnover plummet again.
“There are no prospects for a rapid improvement of the situation," the board said. "All possible means of support and short-term refinancing via the government and the bank were used to no avail.”
The Goudblommeke in Papier is seen as a historic café in Brussels. It used to be a popular base for well-known artistes such as Paul Alechinsky, René Magritte, Hugo Claus, Louis Paul Boon and Toots Thielemans.
