The Morning Magpie cafe closes its doors following collapse of The Oasis

The Morning Magpie will close its brick-and-mortar cafe at The Oasis Townsville just months after opening, as the veteran support hub collapses. DETAILS

The Morning Magpie owners Aaron and Sarah Fitzgerald with Angie Barsby from The Oasis Townsville (centre). Picture by Nikita McGuire

Just months after expanding their mobile coffee business into a brick-and-mortar location at The Oasis Townsville, the operators of The Morning Magpie are pulling out, citing “disappointment” over the organisation’s collapse.

Originally operating as a mobile coffee van, The Morning Magpie had stepped in to fill the void left when the original Dirty Boots Café closed in April due to similar funding issues.

Opening on September 12, the new venue was described as a “full-circle moment” stepping into their first bricks and mortar store, with the intention to provide a sober, social lifeline for veterans opposed to a pub.

Sarah and Aaron Fitzgerald confirmed they would cease operating at the Oonoonba centre at the end of this week, just ahead of the wider facility’s closure on December 12.

“We are deeply disheartened and disappointed by what has been unfolding at The Oasis,” the couple said.

The Morning Magpie owners Aaron and Sarah Fitzgerald with Angie Barsby from The Oasis Townsville (centre) in September. Picture by Nikita McGuire

It was revealed this week that the veteran support hub is shutting down after failing to secure ongoing operational funding, with financial data showing a 275 per cent surge in labour costs prior to the collapse.

For the cafe owners, the closure was personal.

“With Aaron being a veteran himself, we truly understand the importance of having this organisation in Townsville,” the couple said in a statement.

However, despite “overwhelming support” from the community, the owners felt they could no longer continue in the space, saying that staying would compromise their principles.

“We have loved being in the space and being part of this community,” the owners said.

The Oasis Townsville veterans' hub in Oonoonba. Picture: Budd Photography

“However, as our values align with the team at The Oasis and the purpose they were committed to, we have made the decision that The Morning Magpie will no longer be operating out of the Dirty Boots Café.”

The Fitzgeralds confirmed they would be returning to their mobile coffee trailer operations.

Originally published as The Morning Magpie cafe closes its doors following collapse of The Oasis