Adelaide entrepreneur Elliott Brown announces Hey MooMoo’s shock closure — and reveals new business plans

An Adelaide entrepreneur has announced the abrupt closure of his southern suburbs cafe – and revealed “it’s a blessing in disguise”. Find out why.

Cafe owner Elliot Brown posted to social media announcing the closure of his Aberfoyle Park cafe Hey MooMoo’s. Picture: Tom Huntley

A beloved southern suburbs cafe has announced its closure, just five months after opening.

In a shock post shared to Facebook, Aberfoyle Park’s Hey MooMoo’s announced it would shut its doors today (Monday, January 20).

Just last week, the cafe had shared a post to Instagram looking for staff.

Co-owner Elliott Brown, 23, said closing Hey MooMoo’s doors was a “difficult decision” but there had been “issues” with the shop’s landlord.

“This is not something you want to do,” he told The Advertiser.

“I don’t want to open businesses and close them down, but I had to make the decision (to close).”

Adelaide entrepreneur Elliott Brown also owns McLaren Vale’s Hey Juj and Hey Zozo's in Henley Beach. Picture: Supplied

He said it was a “difficult decision” to close Hey MooMoo’s. Picture: Supplied

However, he said the closure was a “blessing in disguise” that would allow him to focus on a new offering – a wedding and events business called Mase Events.

Hey MooMoo’s had been Mr Brown’s third cafe – all of which were opened within a nine-month period.

He started with McLaren Vale’s Hey Juj in November 2023 before opening Hey Zozo’s in Henley Beach in March 2024.

Mr Brown plans to focus on a new wedding and events business called Mase Events. Picture: Tom Huntley

Speaking ahead of Hey MooMoo’s August opening, Mr Brown said despite the hospitality crisis he and co-owner Mitchell Ward had been willing to “give things a shot”.

“The hospitality industry is going through one of its toughest times, however, in strong community areas everyone seems to support each other,” Mr Brown said.

The cafe, which was opened mid-August initially served takeaway coffee, fresh pastries, fruit salads and cold pressed juices.

In October, the menu was expanded to include toasted Paninis.

Hey Juj and Hey Zozo’s are still open and Mr Brown said all Hey MooMoo’s staff would be able to maintain their jobs either at those cafes or Mase Events.

The landlord has been contacted for comment.

Also this week Morphett Vale’s Lowrider Cafe announced it would close its doors less than a year after opening.

Owner Matthew Hill told The Advertiser the cafe was “just not making money”.

He now plans to open a retro-inspired pizzeria in the cafe’s place next month.