THE owners of an award-winning Scottish cafe have said it is “not without tears” that they are closing their doors for the final time.
Le Petit Café, on Morrison Street in central Edinburgh, is shutting down after its last day open for business on December 28.
The closure had been announced in a statement on social media earlier in the month.
“With a heavy heart, we must announce that we put an end to our adventure with Le Petit cafe,” they wrote, adding: “However, like a phoenix, we will rise from our own ashes.”
Mathias and Marion Briard (below) set up Le Petit Cafe three years ago, after visiting Scotland and falling in love with the country.
They spoke to The National about their business in October 2022, soon after winning a TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award.
After closing their doors for the final time on December 28, Marion posted on social media to thank all the customers over the years.
“Just a little (big) note to THANK YOU for all your messages of sympathy towards Le Petit Café and this account. I enjoyed posting content to you every single day trying to make you want to come to our café,” she wrote.
“Thank you to everyone who stopped at least once as well as those who have come many times.
“With Mathias we put all our heart into this project and into the smallest details. So even if it’s no longer Christmas I took pleasure in giving you one last gift, that of opening the memory box.
“It is not without tears that we leave this project. These are tears of sadness but also of joy.
“It is with great emotion that I share with you this evening all our memories to thank all the people who helped us, supported us and I would even say also those who put obstacles in our way.
“This experience has made us stronger and when I read your messages of support regarding it I tell myself that we have done a great job. Thanks also to the wonderful team of course for their hard work. Thank you for everything.
“Vive Le Petit Café. We love you.”