But its Stokes Croft site will be taken over by existing manager and turned into his ‘dream coffee shop’
Inside The Orchard Coffee & Co(Image: The Orchard Coffee & Co)
A much-loved coffee shop in St George has announced it will be closing its doors for good after 10 ‘incredible years’.
The Orchard Coffee & Co, which also has a branch in Stokes Croft, announced it would be closing for good on August 30. In a video shared on the cafe’s social media this week director Joel Viljoen explained the reason behind the closure, which stemmed from a decision by the landlords of the building.
The video was accompanied by a caption which said: “After 10 incredible years, it’s with heavy hearts that we share that The Orchard will be closing its doors.
“Our landlords have made the decision to take the building back in order to return it to its former use as a church. This was completely out of our hands. Over the past months, we’ve explored every avenue available to us from negotiations to alternative proposals but unfortunately the decision had been made and none of our efforts were enough to change the outcome.
“It is incredibly heartbreaking to know that something we have spent the last ten years building a business, a community and a second home for so many people is being taken away from us. The Orchard has never just been a building. It represents a decade of hard work, sacrifice, passion, friendships, memories and countless moments shared with all of you.
“We always hoped this story would continue. We wanted the opportunity to keep growing, keep serving our community and keep building on everything we had created together. Sadly, that opportunity has been taken out of our hands.”The last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster behind the scenes. We’ve laughed, cried, stressed, hoped and fought for a different outcome. Coming to terms with the end of this chapter has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do.”
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The post went on to say: “First and foremost, thank you to every single member of The Orchard team, past and present. The impact each of you has had on this place cannot be measured. The community, culture and memories created here were built by people who poured their hearts into this business every single day. None of this would have been possible without you.
“To our customers, friends and the wider St George community, thank you. Thank you for choosing us day after day, year after year. Through the highs, the lows, the busy days and the difficult ones, you have supported us, championed us and helped shape The Orchard into what it became. We will never be able to fully express how grateful we are.”
Joel confirmed that all of the Orchard Coffee staff are aware of the situation and added that his main focus now would be to support them. He said: “We ask that you continue to show them the same kindness and support they have shown all of you over the years. They are some of the most talented, hardworking and genuinely wonderful people you could ever hope to meet.”
The Stokes Croft site will remain open under the stewardship of manager Ethan, who will be taking it over and turning it into his own dream coffee shop. The Orchard team went on to say: “We couldn’t be happier for him.
Stokes By The Orchard (Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
“If you’re in the area, please go and support him as he starts this exciting new chapter. He has given so much to The Orchard over the years and deserves every success.”
Joel and the Orchard team have promised fans and locals of the St George venue three months of “celebrations, stories, events, laughter, a few tears and a proper send-off for a place that has meant so much to so many people” adding: “While this marks the end of The Orchard brand, it is not the end of us. The story isn’t over yet.”
Locals and fans were quick to share their sadness at the news. Posting in the comments, one said: “St George will miss you” while another called the news “absolutely brutal” and went on to say: “What a massive loss to the area – you should be so proud of everything you’ve achieved!”