The Coffee Club at Bulimba closing after 25 years

The owner of a Coffee Club franchise in a former hospitality hotspot in Brisbane’s inner-east has revealed his plans after his beloved cafe closed after 25 years in the community.

The Coffee Club at Bulimba is closing after more than 20 years. Picture: Facebook

The owner of a Coffee Club franchise in a former hospitality hotspot in Brisbane’s inner-east has revealed his plans as his beloved cafe closed after 25 years in the community.

Dhaval Upadhyay served his final customers at The Coffee Club on Bulimba’s Oxford Street on January 5 as the cafe came to the end of its lease, bringing an end to more than two decades in the suburb following its opening in August, 1997.

It is believed a new lease was unable to be negotiated with the landlords.

Mr Upadhyay, who had been the franchise owner for the entire 25 years, said closing his cafe was a sad moment but “it is what it is”.

“There’s nothing much you can do, I’ve enjoyed being here,” he said.

“I’ve had many loyal customers who come all the time and even since we opened.”

Having worked every day for the past five years, the local father said he did not have any immediate plans to open another venue.

“Because I have worked every day, 365 days a year for the past five years, maybe I can finally have a day off,” he said.

Mr Upadhyay said he also planned to spend more time with his family.

The news of the Bulimba cafe’s closure shocked local residents and loyal customers, who showed their support for the owner and complimented the service it had provided for more than two decades.

“So sad to hear, Dave is an outstanding cafe owner, he has always made me and my young family feel welcome, with delicious food and coffee without fail,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Oh that’s very sad. The owners were so kind to us when our apartment block was flooded, always reserved our favourite table and recharged our phones for us. Such great service and always friendly,” another person commented.

“So disappointing to hear this news. The Coffee Club was so dependable … the service was excellent. Thank you and best wishes to all those affected by this very sad news,” one comment said.

Bulimba is the second Coffee Club in Brisbane’s southeast to close in the past five months after the owners of the Wynnum franchise shut due to broken down lease negations with their landlord in August last year.

Of more concern to local residents is The Coffee Club in Bulimba’s Oxford St, formerly known as a popular entertainment strip, is the latest in several restaurants to close on the street over the past year.

“Another business shut. Very sad. Street is slowly closing down with the amount of vacant premises,” one resident said on Facebook.

The closure also comes at a time when a three-storey retail and residential development on Oxford St, which developer Justin O’Donnell believes will rejuvenate the area, is starting construction soon and expected to open in 2025.

In a recent story, Mr O’Donnell said the area was “starving” for something to happen and a venue to anchor Oxford St once again.