Cafe Blue, the boutique coffee shop in East Tosa, plans to close after 11 years in business at 6428 W. North Avenue, at a time when the local cafe landscape has never been more competitive.
"This was not an easy decision to make however, it is time for a new chapter!" the business said in a social media post signed Carly, Casey, and Atlas Yiannackopoulos. March 22 will be Cafe Blue's last day, when it will open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"Please stop in if you are available even if it is just to say hello, we would love to see you here one last time," the Yiannackopouloses said. "We have cherished all of our friends and the families we have met here at Cafe Blue. We are grateful to have had the pleasure of hosting tea parties, birthday parties, book clubs and first dates."
The announcement comes just months after the new Idyll Coffee Roasters opened in October in a much larger space less than a block east of Cafe Blue at 6330 W. North Ave. Another new East Tosa cafe, De Sol Coffee & Tea, is planned for 6927 W. North Avenue, a storefront formerly occupied by Cream City Soap Company. It just received its conditional use permit last month.
Other nearby businesses in the coffee space include Cranky's and Rocket Baby Bakery in East Tosa. Farther east on North Avenue is Vennture Brew Co. in Milwaukee, and to the west, Fiddleheads has become a fixture of the Midtown Tosa business district. Customers looking for their caffeine fix also have numerous cafes to choose from in and around Tosa Village.
Cafe Blue, though never crowded, had developed a loyal clientele over the years in its modest storefront.
"We will miss all of the wonderful conversations we have had here with all of our Cafe friends," the Yiannackopouloses said. "We are forever grateful to have shared this experience with our Tosa Community, who have endlessly showed their kindness and support to us and each other throughout the years. We thank you for your loyalty and friendship!"
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