A popular Wellington bakery has announced its closure one week after winning a hospitality award, while another has been put into liquidation.
Myrtle Bakery on Kent Terrace in Mount Victoria won outstanding bakery at the “unofficial” Welly Hospo Awards, which were hurriedly organised after the Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards were postponed after a challenging year in the industry.
Owners Sarah Bullock and Jacob Brown posted news of the closure on social media.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the closure of Myrtle Bakery, as our cherished site is no longer available to house us,” they wrote.
“The character of the building, its unique position, and the warmth and support of the people who visit us, are not just part of our story — they are our story … Without them, we feel it is impossible to simply relocate and remain true to who we are.”
The bakery had been open for three years, and its last day will be December 21, they said.
Myrtle regularly had queues out the door. Patrons commented on the post saying they were devastated, and that the cafe was adored.
But the owners hinted they could be on to a new project.
“This is not necessarily the last you’ll see of us. Having some downtime will undoubtedly inspire new ideas and who knows where that might lead?”
The pair also own The Larder in Miramar, where they live.
Meanwhile, Alamir Bakery — also based in Miramar — was put into liquidation on December 3, according to the Companies Office.
The company had been making pita, hummus, falafel, tahini and other Lebanese food for three decades.
It began as The Delicious Lebanese Snack Co in a small commercial kitchen supplying local eateries, and grew to be stocked by supermarkets across the country from 2017, its website said.
Heath Gair from Palliser Insolvency Limited is the appointed liquidator.
Another Wellington store on Ghuznee Street — design, homeware and clothing boutique Kaukau — also announced its closure on social media on Sunday.
“After almost a decade on the street, this will be our final kirihimete, closing our doors to these purple walls in early 2025,” said owners Nadya France-White and Prak Sritharan.
The Ghuznee Street community meant a lot to them and had shaped their lives, they said.
“We still believe so much in retail and people’s desire to experience something special. But as a young whānau this feels like the right time for us to step away.”
They had some “special projects” planned before the closure, they said.
All three businesses have been approached for comment.
rnz.co.nz
