'Awesome' Exeter shop announces closure over rising costs
An independent Exeter business in a popular shopping street has announced its closure due to rising costs. But the owner says "this may not be goodbye".
Yesterday, a notice was taped to the door of chocolate shop and patisserie Truffle Hounds on Fore Street in the city centre, a shopping district well-known for its collection of unique independent businesses.
The note said: "We are closed. Thank you very much for all the support. This may not be goodbye, please keep following us on Instagram (@trufflehoundsexeter) for any updates. So long and thanks for all the fish."
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The shop was opened around two years ago by Ollie Meyer, selling decadent pastries, with various toppings and fillings, as well as chocolates and hot drinks. It has received rave reviews, with an average of 4.8 stars on Google and multiple customers saying the pastries were "the best" they'd ever had.
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But last month, the business said it had been struggling and issued a "one month warning" on their closure. Ollie said he was facing "ever-increasing" costs and was "in general just very tired", adding that he was looking at other ways he might be able to keep the patisserie going.
In a post on the Truffle Hounds Instagram and Facebook pages on August 15, he wrote: "This is a one month warning that we are going to be closing our doors, for now at least. With the ever-increasing costs of, well, everything, and that I am in general just very tired, we have decided to give up our awesome shop.
"There is no fixed plan going forward and we’re pondering a few avenues, but I have deliberately put off a decision until after I’ve rested my head a little bit with the hope of finding a bit of clarity. Our last day will be the Fore Street Flea on 15th of September.
"With all that being said, keep an eye on this account as we’ll definitely let you all know how things develop. An obvious thank you to all our amazing customers. And who knows what the future holds".
In another post made yesterday (September 15), Ollie said his time running the patisserie had been "a blast". Once again, he said that it wasn't "goodbye forever".
He said: "That's all folks. For now, at least. We may not have a fixed plan, but that doesn't mean this is goodbye forever.
"Thank you, everyone, for all your support and continued custom. We're really very grateful, and despite how tiring it has been, it's also been a blast getting to bake tasty s*** for you. And honestly, for me as well. The freedom to make what I wanted, and for it to have been well received, has definitely been rewarding.
"No doubt you'll see me around, and I will let people know if and when any future plans look like they'll come to fruition. But, for now, at least, it's time at the bar, and I'm going to sleep."