The Pantry Café, a much-loved fixture in the Portlaoise community, has closed its doors after nearly 12 years of business.
Located on Market Square and taken over by Mark Healy and Ladonna McCartan in 2014, the Pantry Café soon expanded its reputation for wonderful home-baking, delicious lunches and irresistible coffee.
However, it was the warmth of the welcome and the sense of community that kept customers coming back and the awards rolling in.
Ladonna explains: “This decision was not taken lightly. Over the years and like many other, we have navigated the considerable challenges facing small businesses, and particularly those in the hospitality sector.
“We have adapted and innovated with grit, determination and a genuine desire to keep our doors open and the buzz going, within our beloved neighbourhood eatery.”
However, these current economic challenges and market conditions are further compounded by a turning point in this couples personal circumstances with Mark’s sudden, serious and on-going health issues.
Ladonna continues: “This was an unexpected and profound shock for us.
“As a full-time husband-and-wife team, our outlook for Mark is a gradual road to recovery which means that for now, we’re steering our two businesses with only half our strength at the helm.
“This is not the chapter we had envisioned, but we remain hopeful for brighter days ahead, even as this shift means an alteration in the way we started out.
“We are delighted to confirm that our gift store, Nook and Cranny, remains open and look forward to welcoming familiar faces and new friends alike as we continue to be a small part of the joy and connection that makes our community so special.
“We would like to reassure our customers and suppliers that our café closure is being managed in a structured and entirely responsible way.
“In every decision we made, we have tried to ensure that the cafe is being wound down with care and consideration.
“We are profoundly grateful for your support, which has made an enormous difference to us both – not to mention the friendship, encouragement, and loyalty shown by our customers, suppliers, neighbours and media over the years.
“And we are especially grateful to our staff; an outstanding group of human beings who we have enjoyed coming to work alongside and each of whom have made The Pantry Café such a special place since the day we first opened.
“We close our café doors with heartfelt thanks and fondest memories.”
Gift vouchers for The Pantry Café will be honoured in full at Nook and Cranny Gift Store, 44 Main Street, Portlaoise.
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