Cafe On Hedges in Mermaid Beach closes down permanently, leaving staff without jobs

A Gold Coast cafe has shut its doors, leaving staff jobless and customers stunned. Read the full story

Cafe On Hedges, on the corner of Montana Road and Hedges Ave is permanently closed.

A beloved Mermaid Beach cafe on Millionaire’s Row has suddenly closed, leaving customers in shock and staff without jobs.

A handwritten sign on the front door of Cafe On Hedges, on the corner of Montana Road and Hedges Ave, reads: “Dear customers, we are sorry to inform you that Cafe on Hedges is permanently closed. Thank you for all the smiles, the Hedges Team … (our beautiful jobless staff).”

A staff member contacted by the Bulletin said the closure was “very sad”, while customers were seemingly caught unaware as they turned up for their coffees and meals on Thursday.

The cafe’s Facebook and Instagram pages were still publishing new posts after the Gold Coast Bulletin visited the shuttered site, stating “Brunch is always a good idea, especially when our poke bowl is on the menu’.

A handwritten sign on the front door of Cafe On Hedges, on the corner of Montana Road and Hedges Ave, reads: “Dear customers, we are sorry to inform you that Cafe on Hedges is permanently closed. Thank you for all the smiles, the Hedges Team … (our beautiful jobless staff).”,

A nearby unit manager who turned up to the closed doors said his staff visited the cafe almost every day and he had no warning that it would be out of business.

Commenters on social media were equally perplexed, with one customer saying they visited just two days ago.

“I wonder what’s happened, there were no signs up on Tuesday and when I was there two weeks ago they were having all the outside tables repainted,” she said.

“They just closed overnight. Apparently they were even training a new guy yesterday,” said another.

However, the website for Cafe on Hedges hinted at issues with running the small business.

“This is a place where the barista knows your name and remembers your favourite beverage,” it said.

Cafe On Hedges, on the corner of Montana Road and Hedges Ave is permanently closed.

“It is not without daily challenges and frustrations that most small businesses function, but we are lucky to have had the support of dedicated baristas and team members, great customers, friends and family along the way.”

Cafe on Hedges first opened more than a decade ago in 2013 and was previously owned by Peter van de Merwe and Rosie Parente. It won multiple awards, including Gold Coast’s Best Cafe from the Restaurant Industry Peer to Peer Awards.

Gold Coast City Council Division 12 candidate Luke Henderson, who knew the previous owners, said he was shocked by the closure.

Mr Henderson said parking might have been an issue for the business.

Cafe On Hedges, on the corner of Montana Road and Hedges Ave is permanently closed.

“The streets like Montana Road need to have timed parking alternatives, not every park can be all day, we need some five or 15 minute zones so people can grab their coffees and go, plus hour spots for those who want to linger, and longer for those who want a day at the beach,” he said.

“There’s no doubt the construction of the light rail is putting pressure on everyone, so we need to work with all stakeholders to get the best solutions.”

The Gold Coast Bulletin has attempted to contact the owners for comment.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Jason Momoa at Cafe on Hedges