A WELL-LOVED café has closed its doors for good just months after reopening in a new venue.
The owner of Julie’s Café has shared a final heartfelt goodbye after 26 years of serving breakfasts and lunches to the Droitwich community.
Business owner Julie Smith had her café at West Bank in Berry Hill Industrial Estate for over a decade, but was forced to close it earlier this year.
READ MORE: Town loses another bank as NatWest shuts historic Round House branch
The café had then reopened on Farmers Way in April but has now formally closed because it is “no longer viable”.
On Facebook, Mrs Smith said: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision.
LOSS: Julie’s Cafe in Berry Hill Industrial Estate was loved by customers (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
“I would like to say a huge thank you to every single person who has come through our doors.
“An even bigger thanks goes out to Stacey and all the wonderful staff who have been by my side over the years.
“They have been a huge part of the journey, and I genuinely couldn’t have done it without them.”
READ MORE: Village supermarket shut by bailiffs as councillor speaks out
The owner and staff have always been a close-knit team and have been described ‘like a family’.
However, the mum-of-two and grandmother of three revealed that the closure is also marking a new beginning.
OPEN: Julie Smith of Julie’s Cafe, daughter Lauren Pallante and grandson Luca (Image: Newsquest)
“We may be saying goodbye to Julie’s Café, but I’m choosing to believe it’s also the beginning of something new. Watch this space,” she teased.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, friendship and memories over the years.
READ MORE: ‘Huge loss’ as major retailer to close in town centre
“I will miss every single one of you.
“Here’s to the next chapter.”
The café began as Lynn’s Catering in 1992 where Mrs Smith started as a cleaner.
She said two or three people had taken over running the business before she did.
The business started on George Baylis Road and had called the industrial park in Droitwich its home for the last 13 years before finishing at Farmers Way.
