Little Latte Co closes brick and mortar store in favour of mobile coffee van – as costs soar

The owner of a cherished southern suburbs cafe has shut her shop, but hasn’t called it quits. Find out what plan she has rolled out instead.

Taylor Mason

less than 2 min read

May 4, 2025 - 4:57PM

After two years of serving locals, Little Latte Co’s Morphett Vale shopfront has closed – making way for a new mobile chapter. Supplied

A beloved Morphett Vale coffee spot is going mobile, as owner Amanda Lynch takes the plunge to keep her dream alive in the face of rising costs.

After two years serving up coffee, conversation and Biscoff caramel slices from her cosy shop just off Taylors Ave, Amanda is closing the doors – but not calling it quits.

Little Latte Co officially closed its cafe at COB on May 1, and from Tuesday, May 6, it will reopen as a mobile coffee van, parked first out the front of its former home before moving to Wilfred Taylor Reserve just across the road.

Serving smiles and caffeine: Amanda Lynch is hitting the road with the Little Latte Co van after two years in her Morphett Vale shop. Photo: Supplied

“Foot traffic is down, the lease is going up, and the cost of living is affecting everyone,” said Mrs Lynch, 45, who lives in Kangarilla.

“With the uncertainty of the future I didn’t want to lock into another lease.”

The decision came after a heart-to-heart with her husband about whether to return to full-time work – or reinvent her cafe on wheels.

“I’ll still be serving up the same delicious coffee and snacks you’ve grown to love, just from a new location nearby,” she said in a Facebook post.

“To say I’m excited is an understatement!”

Mrs Lynch said foot traffic was down, there was uncertainty over cost of living and she “didn’t want to lock into another lease”. Picture: Supplied

Amanda is currently on a quick trip to Melbourne to pick up the custom van before debuting it to customers next week.

She thanked her loyal “Little Latte family” online, writing: “I’ve met so many wonderful people and formed some beautiful friendships, all while doing what I love and creating my own little brand.”

Regular customer Dawn Ratcliffe, 67, from Woodcroft, said she won’t be going anywhere else for her caffeine fix.

“I’ll follow Amanda wherever she goes because of the lovely service, delicious food — and of course the ever-popular Biscoff caramel slice she does!”

From mid-May, the van will trade weekdays from 7am at Wilfred Taylor Reserve.

Amanda hopes to also bring her brews to local events and pop-ups in the future.

“Just because we’re on wheels doesn’t mean we’re going anywhere far,” she said.

“We’re staying local — and we’re staying strong.”