Ipswich’s Joshua Poole shares bittersweet reason for closing Coffee By Josh

The owner of a beloved Ipswich coffee shop has shared the bittersweet reason for the business’s sudden closure.

Joshua Poole, 22, owner of Coffee By Josh. Picture: Jessica Baker

A beloved Ipswich coffee shop with be closing its doors this week after seven years in business.

Haiglsea-based coffee vanCoffee By Josh will be operating for its final day this Saturday, May 4.

Owner Joshua Poole, 24, told The Queensland Times that he had wanted to start a new chapter in his life.

The Marburg entrepreneur opened the coffee shop seven years ago – when he was just 17.

“I loved making coffee and to make people smile,” he said.

Joshua Poole, 24, owner of Coffee By Josh. Picture: Supplied/Coffee By Josh

Mr Poole, who has an intellectual impairment, shaped the business to be a safe space for people with disabilities.

The business quickly rose in popularity and currently boasts over 20,000 Facebook followers.

Mr Poole was even voted Ipswich’s number one rising star under the age of 25 in a recent poll by The Queensland Times.

But Mr Poole said he had been working for some years now towards his new goal: to work in the childcare industry.

He explained he had made the bittersweet decision to close the shop so that he could pursue a traineeship in childcare.

Coffee By Josh is closing after seven years. Picture: Supplied/Coffee By Josh

The closure was announced on Facebook last night, May 1.

Mr Poole posted: “I have loved serving my delicious coffee to all my customers”.

“I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the love, amazing support and encouragement over the years.”Mr Poole told the Queensland Times he was grateful for the support he had received from the community in response to the announcement.

Mayor Teresa Harding was one of many members of the community who commented to wish Mr Poole the best for the future.

“Thank you for the coffee and being an inspiration to many in our community,” she wrote.

The community is invited to share one last coffee with Josh on Saturday, May 4.