Adelaide entrepreneur Elliott Brown announces Hey Zozo’s closure

An Adelaide business owner has abruptly announced the closure of a second popular cafe in just under two months.

Cafe owner Elliot Brown at his Henley Beach cafe Hey Zozo’s. Picture: Tom Huntley

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An Adelaide business owner has announced the closure of a second cafe as he focuses on his new venture.

Entrepreneur Elliott Brown abruptly shut down his Henley Beach venue, Hey Zozo’s, this week, after pulling the pin on Hey MooMoo’s in Aberfoyle Park in January. That cafe had been open just five months.

Mr Brown said the tough economy and his growing wedding and events business called Mase Events made it difficult to maintain all his venues. He now retains only McLaren Vale’s Hey Juj which he opened in November 2023.

“Obviously the current economic climate is very tricky,” he told The Advertiser.

“And the event industry is crazy, it’s full on. I’m a solo business owner, it’s really hard to do everything on my own. Staffing is getting harder.

Elliott Brown with cousin Zoe Buttery at his former cafe Hey ZoZo's in Henley Beach. Pics: Supplied

Cafe owner Elliott Brown. Pics: Supplied

“I really need to be spending my time on Mase and having the other businesses doesn’t really allow me to do that.”

Mr Brown said that he had organised a buyer for Hey Zozo’s but an issue with the building’s landlords prevented the sale going through.

“So unfortunately I had to make the decision to just walk away,” he said.

Mr Brown took over Hey ZoZo’s – named in honour of his cousin Zoe Buttery – in March last year. The cafe, on Military Rd, was previously home to hospitality business Homesick Henley.

“I’m looking forward to coming back down this way, it’s such a vibrant and busy location and after how rewarding Hey Juj has been, I’m hoping that this new location will be the same,” Mr Brown said at the time.

Originally published as Adelaide entrepreneur Elliott Brown announces Hey Zozo’s closure