Holly’s Coffee owner Janice shuts doors after decade in town

Holly’s Coffee owner Janice shuts doors after decade in town

6 November 2024

A MUCH-LOVED Ballynahinch cafe closed on Friday after almost 10 years in business.

Holly’s Coffee, which was run by Janice Hunter and Shelly Lyons, opened its doors in January 2015 and became renowned for its home-baked goods and speciality coffee.

“When we opened no other cafes in Ballynahinch had an espresso machine,” says Janice.

“I always had a love of baking. We made homemade sweet treats including cakes, brownies and scones with unusual flavours.

“We loved trying new recipes and experimenting. Everything was made here.

“We had a relatively small team, some have left over the years and gone onto open their own coffee shops. Our baker Ashley was here for seven years. In later years our own children have helped out too.”

The cafe soon became a popular spot in the town – and not just for its food and drink.

“Serving coffee and food was only part of it,” Janice explained. “The other side was community. The cafe was known as a community hub or safe space. It was a great insight into people’s lives.

“Regular customers would come in every day, sometimes twice a day.”

The cafe supplied their homemade goods to other local coffee shops, as well as the likes of the Bullitt Hotel and The National in Belfast.

“We loved seeing our baked goods sold in Belfast,” says Janice.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the cafe changed its business to takeaway and delivery only. 

“People ordered deliveries from as far away as Larne and Bangor. Passers-by in town appreciated being able to buy buns and coffee, especially during the pandemic.”

Janice had been off work for a few months after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and had been undergoing immunotherapy.

During this period she had time to reassess and came to the decision to close the cafe to focus fully on her recovery.

Janice wants to thank customers for supporting Holly’s Coffee over the past decade.

“We felt completely supported during Covid, and since then we’ve felt the support from both old and new customers.”

Since announcing the cafe’s closure on social media on October 12, customers showed their support by buying drinks and baked goods at the cafe right up until its closure last Friday.