Family eyes new opportunity after coffee bar closure
Jack Coffee Bar in east Belfast’s CS Lewis Square has closed with the family behind it blaming a slowdown in trade and the financial pressures arising from the cost-of-living crisis.
As the business says goodbye to east Belfast, Armstrong Hospitality Group is taking the reins at a new venture in the city centre with the relaunch of the Panama City Garden and Cafe in the Linen Quarter.
Business owner Victoria Armstrong said: “It was very busy for us during lockdown because it (Jack’s) is situated in [CS Lewis Square] and on the green. Whenever it was closed, we were doing takeaways, and that was very popular so we were very busy.
“Trade dropped a bit and the cost-of-living crisis hit that area quite hard. We just had to make a decision as a family, as a group, that we would say goodbye to that venture and move on to something else.”
The cafe, which was called after author CS Lewis’ nickname and sits in the EastSide Visitor Centre, will be put to tender and it is hoped that a new operator will come in and take over the business.
Ms Armstrong said: “EastSide Partnership have been amazing throughout our time operating Jack Coffee Bar. It is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in carving out their own corner of east Belfast”.
The family business, which started with The Lamppost Cafe on the Upper Newtownards Road around six years ago, now operates a string of cafes including the Linen Hall Library Cafe and the cafe in the newly renovated Templemore Baths.
In partnership with Janine Kane, the Armstrong family is preparing to relaunch the Panama City Garden and Cafe in Belfast’s Linen Quarter.
Owned by Ms Kane, the cafe on McClintock Street originally opened in October 2018. After trading for just under a year the business had to close due to renovations of a building next door.
