FALL RIVER — Sweet Rose Café, located at 268 Highland Avenue in Fall River, has announced that it will close its doors on or before September 26.
Owner and operator Lisa Marie Normandin, a Fall River resident and former school teacher, shared the news with customers, explaining that she has made the difficult decision to return to teaching.
“After a lot of thought, I have made the difficult decision to return to teaching and close Sweet Rose Cafe,” Normandin said.
According to the announcement, the café plans to remain open with a limited menu through September 26, if staffing allows, in an effort to give employees time to find new employment. Bakery items will be available on weekends only.
Normandin said the decision was not an easy one and expressed her gratitude to the customers who have supported Sweet Rose Café over the years.
“This has not been an easy decision. Sweet Rose Cafe has been such a special part of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for every customer who has supported us, shared a meal with us, recommended us to a friend, and allowed us to be part of your lives,” she said.
She also thanked the café’s current and former employees, crediting them for helping make Sweet Rose what it has become.
“Sweet Rose would never have been what it is without the people who have worked alongside me, taken care of our customers, and poured so much of themselves into the cafe,” Normandin said.
While the closure marks the end of Sweet Rose Café’s current chapter, Normandin is leaving the door open for a possible return.
“While this chapter is coming to an end, I’m not ruling out a return!” she said. “Opening Sweet Rose seasonally during the summer is a possibility, so this may not be goodbye forever.”
Sweet Rose Café has offered a variety of soups, salads, paninis, sandwiches, baked goods, coffee and espresso to customers in the Highland Avenue area.
Normandin encouraged customers to continue following Sweet Rose Café for updates as the September 26 closing date approaches.
“Sweet Rose has been so much more than a business to me, and it truly means more than I can say,” she said. “Thank you for all of your support, kindness, and love over the years.”
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