Community
11 December, 2024
Thanks a latte: Cloncurry cafe owner preparing to close doors
The Urban Leaf Cafe will be closed until a new owner is found.
Cloncurry business owner Lesley Wall says it will be “bittersweet” when she closes the doors of the Urban Leaf Cafe next week.
Ms Wall says she has enjoyed her time operating the business – having started with no knowledge or experience in hospitality and now having developed a successful and profitable operation.
But Ms Wall and husband Vince always had a two-year plan they remain committed to – the couple purchased the cafe in 2022 as part of a larger block of land that included the site of the former outdoor cinema.
Having dedicated those two years to operating the cafe and creating a viable business, Ms Wall plans to return to St Joseph’s Catholic School where she will teach grade four, while Vince will next year begin construction of a new building on the block next to the cafe that will house his business, Desert Ice and Water.
However, the couple hope the closure of Urban Leaf on December 20 will only be temporary – while they will continue to own the building, the cafe business is for sale and active steps are being undertaken to find a new operator.
“I have enjoyed my time in the café and it’s been really worthwhile – so it will be bittersweet to close the doors,” Ms Wall told North West Weekly.
“I didn’t know how to do anything when we took over the café – I didn’t even know how to make a coffee, and I have received a lot of advice and help from people
“But now I am exhausted – the hours in hospitality can be very long and I do miss being in the classroom and being creative with the children.
“I have been a teacher for more than 30 years – I have taken time off before to change career directions – I took some time off a few years ago to operate an online clothes selling business.
“I hope someone can take over the cafe because it has become a popular spot for young mums to gather and sit outside for hours to gather and talk.
“We are popular in the morning for early coffees, we have built up a good catering business as part of it too and there is a lot of space in the back area to expand – so it would be a good business for anyone.”