Beloved Brisbane bakery bows out with a bang after four years

Hundreds of loyal customers waited in lines for more than an hour for one last treat at this popular Brisbane bakery before it shut for good.

Hundreds of loyal customers waited in line for more than an hour for one last treat at a beloved Brisbane bakery which closed its doors for good on Sunday.

Grange bakery Bella and Tortie, which was known for its delicious sweet and savoury products, went out with a bang in its last hurrah at the weekend.

Owner Suzi Unwin thanked the loyal customers for the unwavering support and belief and said she had “no regrets” in the “bittersweet” decision to close.

Suzi Unwin the owner of Bakery Bella and Tortie, which will be closing today due to cost of goods and the struggle to find staff. Photo Steve Pohlner

Ms Unwin opened up in a post on social media about the struggles that will likely resonate with all small business owners in the current climate.

She said the past four years meant 2.30am starts sometimes seven days a week.

“Most mornings I started at 2.30am. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays I’d finish work between 2-3pm and be back at 9pm that night,” Ms Unwin posted.

“I don’t regret it. I did what I needed to do to get the work done and try and offer my wonderful staff a better quality of life and balance.”

People line up at Bella and Tortie which is closing down today. Photo Steve Pohlner

She said the journey as a solo small business owner had been “difficult and unsustainable”.

“They said - you shouldn’t work so much, hire more staff, hire a manager - all very good suggestions that I would have loved to implement but unfortunately the margins were never there to support that growth,” she said.

People line up at Bella and Tortie on its last day. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Maybe I shouldn’t have used such good quality ingredients and free range eggs (could have saved $25k a year) not bothered with free range meat or fancy butter, but I had to try and run the business my way, with ingredients and products I would use myself.

“It’s been amazing to grow the business and see the joy the little shop has brought people. I am extremely proud of the products and hard work from all my very loyal staff.”

Customers in long lines at the bakery on Sunday said they had endured an hour and 15 minute wait for a final sweet sample.

A crowd gathers at Bella and Tortie on Sunday ahead of its closure. Picture: Steve Pohlner