Popular Laois café to close with job losses but new life planned
A popular Laois café at the heart of its community is to close down after 13 years, with the loss of four jobs.
The Cosy Café in Mountrath town centre is set to serve its last coffee and homebaked treat on Saturday afternoon, July 15.
"It was a massive decision but it has been very hard to keep it going especially in the last two years since I had my little boy Brian. It's hard being a female employer," she said.
She praised her four part-time staff.
"The girls I have are amazing. After I told them, they said they were staying until I closed the doors, that was very unique. We were never going to be one of those places that close overnight. They will walk into another job I am sure. I am so thankful too to the community, my customers and my family who got roped in in the difficult times," she said.
However life will continue in new ways in the family owned building.
Prior to being the Cosy Cafe it was the Hanlon family pub, run by Sinead's mother for 30 years.
The choir will gather to sing on the last day of the café, but it won't be their final tune, Sinead confirmed.
"They're not going anywhere. We will still meet and sing in the café. Singing is a wellness anyway. We will be back singing in September after the summer break," she said.
Sinead has another string to her bow which she has already put to use in the building, as a highly qualified spa and beauty therapist.
"I was the spa manager in Ballyfin House when it first opened. I was the senior therapist in Killenard Spa as well. I started back doing therapies before Christmas. I also do a bit of contract work in Ballyfin. It's great, I love that too but I can't keep doing everything," she explained.
She has opened her salon, The Cosy Spa above the café, while the former café will become a wellness area for group classes like meditation.
"I always believed it was more than a café, at times it felt more like a social club or even an open mic night at a comedy club. There have been so many fond memories made there and I will cherish each and every one," she wrote.
Mountrath will be well served by other coffee outlets, Sinead believes.
"There will probably be another business opening soon with coffee. The new Bookbank will have a café. That will be great for the town and it's probably even a good thing for them that I'm closing. Community is very important, that's the big thing for me, having grown up in the area," she said.
All customers are welcome to come along to the last day of the Cosy Café, set to close at 3.30pm on July 15.