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A County Durham café has announced it is closing its doors for good, saying the decision has “not been an easy one".
Gourmet Gainz, based on Lister Road at Peterlee’s North West Industrial Estate, confirmed the closure in a social media post.
The venue offered dine in, collection and delivery, with a menu featuring smash burgers, loaded fries and desserts.
In the announcement, the business said: “I have to announce that Gourmet Gainz will be closing its doors.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision, and it’s certainly not the way I imagined this chapter ending, but unfortunately the time has come to say goodbye.”
The owner thanked customers who had visited for breakfast, ordered food, recommended the business to friends or shared its posts online.
They said: “Whether you’ve popped in for breakfast, ordered one of our smash burgers, grabbed a takeaway, recommended us to friends or shared our posts, every bit of support has meant more than you’ll ever know.
“To our amazing regulars, some of whom have become friends along the way, thank you for coming back time and time again.
“Seeing familiar faces walk through the door has genuinely been one of the best parts of running Gourmet Gainz.”
The post said the owner was proud of what Gourmet Gainz had achieved despite the long days, late nights and challenging moments involved in running the business.
They also thanked colleagues who had worked alongside them and helped make the café what it was, saying they would be “forever grateful”.
Customers shared messages of support after the closure was announced.
One person said: “You should be so incredibly proud of everything you’ve achieved. Closing a business you’ve poured so much of yourself into can’t have been an easy decision.
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“You’ve shown so much courage, passion and determination, and that’s something no ending can take away.
"Wishing you nothing but love and happiness for whatever comes next. You deserve it all.”
Another added: “Sorry to hear this, you absolutely smashed it and put your all in. Good luck in your next venture. I’m sure you’ll have bigger and better things planned.”