Rosalia's Red Brick Cafe shuts doors

ROSALIA – Owner's of the Red Brick Cafe in Rosalia, Kris Hemenway-Sheets, 69, and husband Gary Sheets, 70 have made the reluctant decision to close their doors for the winter. The cafe will be officially closed Friday, Sept. 30, its last day open, Thurs. 29. The cafe will also be closed next Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. due to catering for two big group parties.

The Red Brick Cafe opened in 2018, and is the only family cafe in Rosalia. There is a bar where children are not allowed, and a coffee shop.

"We managed to survive the pandemic, but it really got us," said Mrs. Sheets.

"It's been a very difficult decision to close for the winter," she said, "We're capitalizing on our possibilities. I don't want to close, but we've hit a financial wall." Sheets further explained that they've had so much support they've been able to struggle along, also noting that they have gotten good reviews online. "The community has been great. We've loved what we've done."

Sheets explained that being open five days a week is not sustainable, and that they've tried to contribute to the community as much as they can. With big groups coming in they cannot keep the business going as well as they'd like.

There is the possibility that the cafe won't be closed forever, "If we open it won't be until spring," Sheets explained. Noting that during the winter the last two years they didn't bring in enough money. "We'd love to be here for battle days and all the events, but we'll see," she added.

The cafe has big groups often, "We get big groups enough to be really grateful for them," she said, noting that there is a group that comes in on a regular basis, "They are our bread and butter."

Her husband retired last august, "He's become a terrific baker. We just have to pull the plug for a while," she said. Sheets did note the positive sides to taking a break, including her husband liked to go to rendezvous, which they weren't able to attend due to the cafe.

More than anything the Sheets want the public to know that they appreciate the community's support.