The Loose Caboose at Bowden Railway station to close after 13 years

A weekend institution has reached its final destination as the Fat Controller announces it’s time to say goodbye to her little station.

A suburban weekend hotspot is the latest casualty of South Australia’s hospitality crisis.

All-day brunch institution The Loose Caboose, located at Bowden Railway station, will close its doors within the next few weeks.

Owner, Katie Price, took to social media to share the sad news on Friday writing it “hasn’t been an easy decision” to say goodbye to “this little station”.

The announcement comes after the Bowden railway station property hit the market last week.

The Loose Caboose. Picture: Supplied by Cushman & Wakefield

Ms Price began restoring the Bowden Railway station, which is Australia’s oldest railway station, in 2010 – a process that took two years to complete.

“I stumbled across this run-down treasure and fell in love,” Ms Price wrote when she announced the closure.

“It became something more than just a cafe — it became a place where people connected, laughed, and made memories.”

The Loose Caboose announces closure on social media. Picture: Instagram @theloosecaboose

Ms Price said that after “much soul-searching” she has decided to “say goodbye” as her “health (and age)” are catching up to her.

“The next few weeks will be an emotional ride, but we’ll be celebrating every moment with the amazing friends and community who made it all worthwhile,” she wrote.

The comment section was quickly filled with messages of love and sadness from patrons.

“Wow what an incredible ride it has been,” one commenter wrote.

“OMG no! I am so sad to hear this!,” another added.

The Loose Caboose was known for their all-day brunch menu Picture: Diane Mattsson

Along with The Loose Caboose, Ms Price owned Whipped Bake Bar Cafe in Semaphore and Crack Kitchen in the Adelaide CBD.

The restaurateur sold the Semaphore location in 2014 and Crack Kitchen in 2017. Both venues have since closed.

Ms Price, who has been working in the hospitality industry since 2007, thanked her customers for “riding the rails with (her)” promising to “make the final journey one to remember”.

The Loose Caboose has been contacted for comment.