‘Heartbreaking’: Sydney juicery, cafe Orchard St. announces shock closure
A beloved wellness brand has shocked fans with the news it will cease operations for good this weekend after more than a decade.
A beloved Sydney wellness brand has shocked fans with the news it will cease operations for good this weekend after more than a decade.
Orchard St., founded by naturopath Kirsten Shanks, has been a pioneer of the city’s plant-based eating and herbal medicine scene since 2012, with cafes and dispensaries in Bronte, Paddington, Manly and Bondi, as well as a thriving online store.
Needless to say, then, that customers were “devastated” at its announcement on Tuesday that all four locations will close on Sunday, July 7, and online trading would end once stock had been rehomed.
Speaking to news.com.au, Ms Shanks said the “heartbreaking” decision was “one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make” – but as an independently-owned small business, the rising cost of living had finally taken its toll.
“We’ve spent 12 years developing Orchard St. and growing from humble origins into the most beautiful, supportive and vibrant community,” Ms Shanks said.
“The team, our customers, the businesses we collaborate with mean everything to us. We feel like we’ve let so many people down – this was never part of our plan.
“Creating and steering Orchard St. has been an incredibly fulfilling ride, as well as exhausting and extremely challenging. Running a small business takes everything and more.”
Ms Shanks, a qualified naturopath with more than two decades experience, was inspired to open Orchard St. after a trip to New York (the company’s name taken from Orchard Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side).
She launched the business online in late 2012, following suit with its first brick-and-mortar in Bronte, and Bondi a year later. The brand swiftly became popular for its food and drinks, herbal medicines, lifestyle wares and signature juice cleanses.
While that “community has remained strong and supportive” in the years since, “the rising cost of living has corrupted the climate for small businesses”, Ms Shanks said.
“Not only do customers have less to spend, but the overheads for sustaining a business with integrity are insurmountable for so many,” she explained.
“We’ve incurred the rising prices of organic ingredients, sustainable packaging and inflation across the board. We’ve never once compromised on quality of ingredients, integrity of our products or care for our staff.
“We’ve survived Covid, increased rents and intense weather patterns that affect customer behaviour. Unfortunately, these things come at a huge cost. It’s hard to imagine how any independently-owned business can survive.”
The outpouring of support following Tuesday’s announcement, Ms Shanks said, has been “incredible”, describing it as “a potent reminder of our place in the hearts of the community”.
“We’ve been so moved, and so devastated, by the beautiful words shared on Instagram and in (our) stores,” she added.
“Orchard St. is so much more than a small business – it’s a second home for many, and a promise of a softer, kinder world. I’m still deeply committed to this vision and promise, and hope to continue the legacy, albeit in a different way, when the time feels right.”
For now, Ms Shanks is “hoping to take a moment to gather my thoughts and strength”, and spend time with her young family.
The business, meanwhile, is “hoping to find a passionate custodian” to take over Orchard St.’s so-called Elixir Bars across the city.
“These spaces are a sanctuary from the world’s storms and it’s hard to imagine Sydney without them,” Ms Shanks said.
Orchard St. is just the latest in a series of high-profile restaurants and eateries across the country to call time on its venues as a result of the cost of living crisis.
Financial services company CreditorWatch recently revealed at least one in 13 Australian hospitality businesses are predicted to fail in the next 12 months, with restaurateurs facing a maelstrom of increased costs and reduced diner numbers.
According to ASIC, the national accommodation and food services sector has seen the highest insolvency rates in recent years, second only to the construction industry.
CEO of industry organisation Restaurant and Catering Australia, Suresh Manickam, recently told Bloomberg that the heightened daily costs of running an eatery, including those associated with energy and interest rates, are pushing popular businesses to the brink.
At the same time, consumers have become more cautious about spending money.
“There are multiple challenges at the moment,” Mr Manickam said.
“Almost every single input that goes into doing business is rising. There’s nothing that we know of that is going down in terms of input.”