A much-loved plant-based cafe that specialises in vegetarian and vegan food in the heart of Cardiff has announced its closure after four years, due to financial pressures.
Wild Thing originally opened in Grangetown in 2018 before moving to Cathays Community Centre in 2020 and, run by Lauren Saunders, is a cafe whose aim was tackling food insecurity by hosting community dinners as well as implementing a 'pay what you can' system - among other things.
While it is shutting up shop due to "operating as a community cafe whilst remaining our core business values isn’t currently financially sustainable", it's not all bad news for the business.
Read more: The mum and daughter duo opening Swansea's first frozen yoghurt cafe
Sharing the sad news on Instagram the plant-based foodies revealed that, although it's closing its doors for the final time on Saturday, May 20, it will continue to cook up nutritious and delicious feasts and spreads as a catering company.
Posting a video compilation of images of Wild Thing over the years, the cafe wrote a lengthy and emotional post explaining the reasons behind the closure and its next move.
"I can’t stay here forever," it began. "Wild Thing is changing! After an incredible, delicious, crazy 4 years of bringing our plant based nourishing food to Cardiff we are closing our doors as a cafe. We will be continuing business as normal until May 20th and we hope so many of you can join us for one final coffee, cake, brunch & a chat. Then after that it’s no more wild thing Cafe. It’s been the hardest decision and like so many other business owners it’s been a battle between head and heart.
"What a 4 years it’s been! We are so grateful for the most incredible customers and community that have supported us. Seriously the WT customers are like nothing I’ve ever met before. THE BEST!!!! I am super grateful the most incredible staff over the years. We’ve seen some of the city’s best chefs, bakers & front of house stars. They have made Wild Thing the special place it is for so many!!
"But - here’s the good thing. We will be offering our services as a a catering business. We have absolutely loved seeing how our business has developed and changed over the years and figuring out what works for us.
We’ve always wanted to provide fully plant based food that is nourishing, cooked from scratched, using good seasonal ingredients and paying staff a fair wage. Operating as a community cafe whilst remaining our core business values isn’t currently financially sustainable."
It continued: "However we are excited to be able to operate as a catering business. So if you’ve got an upcoming birthday, wedding, day retreat or anything else and you want a delicious, colourful , feast made from scratch with love and care then we will be the people for you. We like to see ourselves as the alternative to the beige buffet. Providing food that everyone at the party can enjoy!
But for now , come join us in the community centre as we serve up the last of our brunches from now til 20th May.
"We are a small team so please be kind to our incredible staff.... Thank you to everyone who has supported us in Cathays & Grangetown."
Concluding her exiting statement, Lauren - Wild Things owner and founder - said: "I (Lauren ) am also super excited to be continuing my community food work as I join the Fareshare Cymru team to continue tackling food waste & food security in Wales."
Followers of Wild Thing and fans of the food they serve wished the team well on their next venture and shared their disappointment.
"Oh you have been an absolute joy. thank you so much Lauren and team xxxx," wrote one foodie, while another said: "Huge love Lauren and Wild Thing honeys, what you’ve created over the last 4yrs is something very special, thank YOU."
A third and fourth added: "Oh damnnn I'm so, so sad to hear this but this just means I'll have to have a birthday party every week that you'll just have to cater. Thank you for everything WT team, I'll miss everything about this cafe, the food, the team and the overall cosiness and a definite safe place for me. I'll miss the cafe but I'll follow and support whatever you do forever" and "So proud of what you have achieved and created, you inspire us everyday."
Wild Thing Cafe will close on Saturday, May 20.
READ NEXT:
- A cheese and cider festival is taking place in Gower next month
- We tried all the street food stalls in Cardiff Market to see which was the best
- 'I tried Smithy's infamous takeaway order from Gavin & Stacey and it completely broke me'
- The new festival for dogs coming to a Cardiff street food cafe
- I tried Wales' most cherished Michelin star restaurant and it was effortless, classy and damn delicious
