Why it matters: The Grazing Sheep in Regatta Quay had been serving the waterfront community since April 2018, offering breakfast, brunch and summer tapas pop-ups with a Spanish influence. The cafe won awards annually since opening, including a Blue Ribbon at the Good Food Awards in 2023.
The details: Owner Bart Bisbal ran the cafe with his sons Julian and Carlos, working as a family operation that employed local people.
The business made the closure permanent after shutting temporarily in December, it was announced today.
Bart cited increased financial pressures on small businesses and long-term remedial works on the Regatta Quay building.
What they're saying: "After eight successful years we have made the difficult decision to close our doors for good," Bart said in a statement.
"Unfortunately the effects of increased financial pressures on small businesses like ours – tied in with the long-term remedial works on our building – have become too much."
He added: "On behalf of our family, we would like to thank everyone that has supported us over the years, whether that was for breakfast, brunch or our summer tapas pop-ups. All the fun we've had wouldn't have been possible without your support."
The bottom line: The waterfront location loses a long-standing independent business as the family-run operation becomes the latest to cite mounting cost pressures.
