The owner of a popular Tandragee coffee house has announced it is to close at the end of the month, citing “personal circumstances and other business commitments”.
Tandra Tea Coffee House, which serves breakfasts, lunches and teas, will be listed as a going concern in the hope that a new owner can take over the reins.
Originally opened in February 2020 as a mother-daughter enterprise, by Carol and Lynsey Davidson, the duo were able to weather the Covid storm and build up a loyal following and the reputation as “the hidden gem of Tandragee“.
In an emotional Facebook post this week, they said it was with a “heavy heart” that they had to announce the closure.
For now however, the café will be open until Saturday, August 31, when it will close for the last time.
Speaking to Armagh I, Lynsey says it had always been her dream to open a coffee shop, and that closing is a “bittersweet” moment.
“It’s just overwhelming for myself. I’m heartbroken,” she said. “We’ve regular customers who come in and they’re just part of the family.
“It’s just sad, because we poured our blood, sweat and tears into it and to build up a good rapport with the customers.
“I’ve done nothing but cry all day because the people coming in can’t believe it, it’s just a shock to the community.
“Customers would walk through the door and you would know what their order was. That’s how personal it became. They were just like family and we were always laughing and joking with them. I am truly thankful for them all.”
Lynsey is keen to stress the closure is not due to any struggles in the businesses finances, but simply because she can’t keep up with it alongside her other business ventures.
Lynsey and Carol also run the catering company, Butterfly Kisses Home Baking, which they are hoping to grow going forward.
She said: “We survived Covid and we survived the energy prices but it’s just because of other business commitments. It’s more of a personal decision and nothing to do with us not doing well.
“My main aim is to get it up as a going concern so somebody else can walk in and give it the love, dedication and enthusiasm that I could no longer give.”
When asked how she reflected on the four years in business, Lynsey said: “Don’t get me wrong, we had good and bad memories, but I am proud of how we came through everything and I have no regrets whatsoever.”
She added: “I’m just thankful for all the staff I had and they’re devastated too. I’m particularly thankful for my mum because she was the backbone and she pushed me to do it.
“I wouldn’t have done it without her.”
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