‘You don’t switch off’: Paddy Barry’s owner Jimmy Barry says he closed cafe to spend more time with family

Gruelling hours. Tight margins. No breaks. An Adelaide cafe owner explains why he’s decided to shut the doors of his well-loved city cafe.

An Adelaide cafe owner has revealed the intense demands of his business – where he would work up to 70 hours a week – and a desire to spend more time with his young family are the reasons behind his decision to close.

Jimmy Barry, the owner-operator of specialty coffee roaster and city cafe Paddy Barry’s, announced last week he was shutting its doors in coming months.

He’s opened up to The Advertiser about the move, saying the pressures of running a small business meant he couldn’t spend enough time with his partner of eight years, Jess, and their young son Rocco, who turns one on Friday.

“I run the business by myself, managing the cafe, then roasting the coffee for the cafe and other venues, then doing deliveries, managing staff. I was doing everything and I realised it was probably a little bit too much, as well as raising a baby,” he said.

“I could see the ceiling was high for the business but the time and energy it takes to get to that point, I couldn’t justify it.

“I thought there’s something else out there that might better suit me.”

Mr Barry, 30, said he works up to 70 hours a week, including at least 40 hours at the Gilles Street location, plus another 8-10 roasting coffee, followed by deliveries.

“There’s always extra you’re doing at home, admin work. You basically don’t switch off, or at least I found it hard to. You’re almost always working,” he said.

Paddy's Barry owner James Barry, left, at his Adelaide cafe. Picture: Facebook

Paddy's Barry on Gilles Street. Picture: Facebook

“Whether that’s covering a staff member who’s sick or going on holiday, or something goes wrong at the cafe … you’re putting little fires out all the time. So there’s some days where I had family plans and then needed to cancel them because you’re needed somewhere else.

“I feel like I’ve just been needed in too many different places at once. That’s the main reason why I’m closing.”

Known for brewing some of Adelaide’s best coffee, the cafe nestled in Adelaide’s south and named after the owner’s grandad has been a hit with locals for years.

Mr Barry said hospitality business owners were working longer hours to cut costs and combat the cost-of-living crisis, including adding special events and dinners.

“Everyone is just trying to get creative and find new avenues of income. We added a coffee stall at Illuminate Adelaide festival last year, which was really well supported,” he said.

“But I know a few instances where people have had to rethink everything because they’re working too hard and they want to have more time with their family or partner or their kids.”

He said the business – formerly known as Sibling until a 2023 rebrand – was generally going well, though they had experienced a drop in average sales.

“Overall it wasn’t doing bad, it just felt like a good time to sell,” Mr Barry said.

Paddy's Barry owner James Barry in the Adelaide cafe. Picture: Facebook

He said the business was generally going well, though they had experienced a drop in average sales. Picture: Facebook

“We could see a pattern of places closing … prices will need to go up and people are spending less. The price of coffee is too cheap at the moment – people might disagree but it is. It’s only going to go one way. It is tough right now.”

Mr Barry has sold the business but will continue to run Paddy’s until a handover date is confirmed in coming months.

As for his own future, he has his eyes set on a very different career.

“I’m going to apply for an electrical apprenticeship and do something completely different,” he said.

“I’m excited, looking forward to it. I’m keen for a salary.”