THE owners of a beloved country park cafe in Aberdeenshire have said they will close the business after 12 years in an emotional message to customers, adding it's the “hardest decision” they have ever made.
Mrs Smith's at Haddo Country Park in Ellon has announced it will close on October 25.
The eatery’s owners have thanked their devoted customers for “many fond and wonderful memories” over the years.
The owners cited the changes in the hospitality industry, including increasing costs, along with wanting to spend more time with their family as some of the reasons to call time on their business.
In an emotional post on Facebook, Mrs Smith's owner Elaine said she had “some difficult news to share”.
She continued: “After 12 years, the time has come to hang up our aprons and switch off the coffee machine. This is one of the hardest, emotional decisions I’ve ever had to make.
“Serving the visitors at Haddo has been the honour of my life and it fulfilled a dream to run my own business. It has helped support our wonderful girls, give them life skills, and the same for a long list of other staff members over the years.
"We know this will come as a shock to our customers, many of whom have become close friends, and who have shared in our story. Without your support, our little shop at Haddo would not have become what it has today.
“I have so many fond, wonderful memories. We lived through and adapted to a global pandemic, the shop remained standing after Storm Arwen, which devastated the surrounding woodlands.
“I can’t imagine how many baguettes, coffees, cakes and scones we have actually served over the years, but my elbows seem to tell me it’s lots!
“It is time for me to get my weekends back and enjoy some quality time with my family, all of whom are growing up fast, before deciding what I want to do when I grow up.”
The post went on that the business aims to “leave on a high” before closing its doors for good on October 25.
“We would love to see our friends and customers, new and old, enjoying Mrs Smith's and sharing our final few weeks,” the post said.
It went on to explain that Mrs Smith’s at Haddo came to be after a conversation with the late Lord Aberdeen, Alexander Gordon, as the idea “flourished” over many years.
It added: “We would like to thank the Gordon family – Lady Joanna, George and Isabelle, and the whole Haddo Estate team for their support. Your warmth and friendship goes far beyond that of a landlord.”
Customers were reassured that the team at Mrs Smith’s will continue to “give it our all” until the final curtain and that any vouchers with the business should be used before the last day of trading.
The post concluded: “Hospitality is really challenging and our little shop is no less demanding than any other.
“Costs are ever increasing, resources are few and the days are increasingly long to make these ventures work.
“It is important to support local and help those in your community to employ, to serve and to create future opportunities.
“Mrs Smith's has supported many young people, who have gone on to bigger and better things, including teachers, journalists, engineers and artists and it has supported me, to which I will be eternally grateful.”
The post was met with hundreds of comments of support from customers of the business throughout the years.
Many of the messages thanked the team for creating an “amazing experience” for all who visited, and wished Elaine all the best for her future endeavours.
