Just Gluten Free bakery permanently shuts stores across Ascot Park and Central Plaza

The owner of a much-loved Adelaide gluten-free bakery has made a heartbreaking announcement about the future of her business.

Sabine De Vuono and her specially prepared gluten-free foods at her shop Just GF Cafe, Port Road, Hindmarsh in 2013. The bakery permanently closed on Monday, February 10, 2025.

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A series of tragic family tragedies has led to a popular gluten-free bakery to permanently shut its doors after operating for more than a decade.

Bakery owner Sabine De Vuono of Just Gluten Free, announced it had made the “hard decision” to close its Ascot Park and Adelaide Central Plaza stores from Monday.

Her bakery had amassed loyal customers since 2010 for their range of delicious gluten free goodies such as pastries, pastas, breads and cakes.

Ms De Vuono said she had committed “everything to this business” including working everyday – sometimes 80 to 90 hour weeks – to serve her “amazing gluten-free community.”

“The bakery is my baby. I created it to help people, I created it to give a space for people to feel safe,” Ms De Vuono told The Advertiser.

“I don’t want to let my customer down because I love all my customers.

Sabine De Vuono is heartbroken over the closure of her bakery. Picture taken on Friday March 23rd, 2018. (AAP Image/Roy Vandervegt)

Owner of gluten-free bakery 'Just Gluten Free' Sabine De Vuono with her food. Picture: Supplied

Sabine De Vuono said her customers have been loyal for 15 years. . Picture: Supplied

“They’ve been supporting me for the last 15 years. I didn’t want to make this decision. I didn’t want to let them down, and it took me forever to make this decision, but I can’t do it anymore.”

Despite her love and commitment to the business, the 50-year-old Ascot Park local said tragedy struck when her father Guido De Vuono died on May 29, 2022.

“After my dad passed away, I didn’t have the time to grieve for his passing because I was constantly busy, working ridiculous hours,” she explained.

Then in December 2023, Ms De Vuono’s mother Aurora, who lives in Italy, started chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

She said she wanted to take the time to visit her mum for about six to eight months, and knew she would not be able to maintain the business while she was overseas.

“I went there last year when everything was really bad for my mum, and my stepfather needed help because he couldn’t do everything by himself,” she said.

Sabine De Vuono with her late father Guido De Vuono at the Ascot Park. Picture: Supplied

Sabine De Vuono will miss her customer base. Picture: Supplied

Gluten-free bakery goods will be sold at the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market every Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“My business was really struggling while I was there because I’m the face of the business.

“And without me, even if I had a lot of employees, unfortunately everything started to fall apart, and when I came back, it took me months of trying to realign everything.”

Ms De Vuono tearfully said she’s going to miss her “amazing community and customers”.

“I saw them go from being a couple, to being married, to having a baby,” she said.

“I always say that I have the best customers in the world. They are amazing, they are always there. They always support me, I will miss them so much.

“My dream will be to teach my customers how to make my products and meals, so they don’t have to rely on someone,” she said.

Ms De Vuono will sell her delicious products at the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market every Sunday until they sort out their stock and equipment.