After decades of serving cheese rolls and other tasty delights, a central Dunedin cafe is closing its doors because it is struggling to stay afloat, its owner says.
Civic Cafe owner Dee Tang is calling its quits after eight years of running the business.
A sign posted on the cafe’s door informs customers it is with "mixed emotions" the owners are announcing the closure.
Mr Tang said different factors, including a difficult economic environment, the effects of Covid-19 and unsupportive government policies for small businesses had led to him permanently closing the cafe’s doors.
The increases to the minimum wage meant Mr Tang had to employ fewer staff and his payroll went from seven employees to two, with his wife working full time as well — sometimes without pay.
He said his wife would not be returning to the building for a while because of how sad it made her to be leaving.
The Dunedin City Council had been supportive in negotiating rent and was one of the reasons why the cafe was able to survive a little bit longer, Mr Tang said.
A council spokesman said it was still considering a future use for the space.
The cafe would pour its last coffee on September 15.
