The Kawa Cafe closed on Sunday after more than four years of operating on Quaifes Rd in Halswell.
Owner Janice Schaper said the decision comes after ongoing issues finding experienced staff to give customers the service they deserve while juggling taking time off when needed.
"We have been struggling to get enough staff for the past six months," she said.
"You train young people and they just don't have it in them, they don't show initiative with their customer service. It is very difficult," she said.
Mrs Schaper said she has mainly been having issues with staff members aged 18-25 and she has heard it is an issue not only in hospitality but in retail as well.
"It is my passion, it is hard for me to make that call but I have to have staff that can give good customer service. And if I find I haven't got staff to do that, then I don't want to operate."
She said the cafe has tried to train people up on a three-month trial - but they either left or were let go because they could not "catch onto" the job.
