The bakery and cafe only started up in February, with the motto “Delicious & unpretentious food made with local ingredients,” but on Monday Sep. 9, owner Tom Moore announced on social media the Yates restaurant is shuttering. 

While it wasn’t around long, the cafe was one of the most anticipated openings this year and it became well known for its unique treats, such as its croissant cubes, the famous chocolate chunk cookie, and tasty pizzas. Moore was one of the co-founders of Crust Bakery, which continues to be a popular destination on Fort.

Moore said operating a small business downtown “has proven to be incredibly difficult, for so many reasons.” Moore told Capital Daily that those reasons include a higher minimum wage and increasing costs of food. 

“But I think it’s important to add, the burden of interest rates increasing, the lack of office workers downtown after COVID still, people not eating out as much as they used to, parking costs being raised downtown.”

Moore also acknowledged “the ripple effect of unhoused people downtown, causing people to avoid the area.”

Moore said Tombo was broken into four times since opening. 

In the Instagram post where they shared the news on Sept. 9, the restaurant mentions that this is not the end for Tombo, but for now the Yates Street location will be closing.

We’ll keep an eye for the reopen to share the news. 

Tombo thanked its customers and staff for their support. “Over the past year we have loved serving delicious food and drinks to this beautiful community, and we thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown us. We feel so privileged to have worked with some brilliant and talented people, from designers to painters and builders, friends and family to incredible professional chefs, pastry chefs and serving staff. Our sincere gratitude and appreciation go out to all of them. Thank you all so much.”

The location on Yates Street was formerly occupied by Fol Epi Bakery and Agrius restaurant, closing in May last year.