Douglas & Kaldi cafe, Ongar temporarily closed

ongarboy

Anyone know why the cafe in Ongar is closed up recently? They have a sign saying temporarily closed. I could go months without visiting but funnily, I felt like a fry up the last two Saturday's and found the place shut up both times I called.

They did a minor upgrade to the premises a few months ago so they can hardly be renovating again so soon?

Alaska1

Lack of trade ?

Does be busy the weekends, and didn't they trial late nights too.

Would be a disaster not to have a cafe in Ongar, really needs one.

782378

There was a sign in the window last week saying it was closed due to fire and smoke damage.

Omackeral

I drive past the cafe everyday coming home from work. I was quite puzzled to see it open after 'office' hours in recent weeks. I imagined it would be far from sustainable to run these late night openings?

Having said that, it's a cracking little spot and since the renovation, the food has been even better. I hope it re-opens soon (and isn't shut for good:( )

annR

I'd be lost without this place. It's the only place within walking distance in the whole area you can go for a cup of coffee and a sit down (that's not a pub).
Their customer service has improved a bit, I used to find them really unfriendly. Maybe that's why I have no particular loyalty to them . . .someone else please open a cafe in the area.

ongarboy

annR wrote: »

Their customer service has improved a bit, I used to find them really unfriendly. Maybe that's why I have no particular loyalty to them . . .someone else please open a cafe in the area.

The middle aged wan in there can be really friendly sometimes or downright stroppy other times (don't dare challenge an inaccurate order with her!!)

fisherking

I find the fry greasy the and the coffee is nasty....
I stopped going
If you only order a coffee you get the feeling of eyes rolling in heads......

ongarboy wrote: »

annR wrote: »

Their customer service has improved a bit, I used to find them really unfriendly. Maybe that's why I have no particular loyalty to them . . .someone else please open a cafe in the area.

The middle aged wan in there can be really friendly sometimes or downright stroppy other times (don't dare challenge an inaccurate order with her!!)

annR

I like the coffee. But I used to go in there nearly every day and had a real problem with the lack of 'thank you' and 'you're welcome' . . . .just never had that pleasant friendly feel to it. One day I said to her at the till, nice day outside and she just went huhh??? what??

Diddler1977

I stopped going a few years ago. I couldn't stand all the different systems they would introduce (and then stop shortly after) in order to get the food down to your table.

In particular I disliked going to the counter to order and then being asked "What table". I would look around an empty cafe and have to choose a table so they could input the table number in to the system. God help you if you then decided to move table!!!!!

ongarboy

it's table service now (at least until they change it again) and the choice of food has improved (at least the hot options). I was in their cafe in Ashtown last year and it's a lot nicer and the staff so much more friendly.

annR

Diddler1977 wrote: »

I stopped going a few years ago. I couldn't stand all the different systems they would introduce (and then stop shortly after) in order to get the food down to your table.

In particular I disliked going to the counter to order and then being asked "What table". I would look around an empty cafe and have to choose a table so they could input the table number in to the system. God help you if you then decided to move table!!!!!

yes I remember that. They used to do it even if there was hardly anyone else there as if they were going to have trouble finding you or something.

Maybe it'll reopen under new management.

D for Dubious

From what I've heard the main fusebox overloaded and melted. Given that they've now been closed for three weeks now they must have damaged the wiring pretty badly. Pity because I like the place.

NOTE: I don't offer this as fact, merely what I have heard on the grapevine.

Twizzler

Has anyone heard if the cafe will be re-opening? Signs still up in windows saying closed for maintenance, but the cafe's name has been removed and furniture is also gone. Would be a shame to lose it permanently.

Diddler1977

Twizzler wrote: »

Has anyone heard if the cafe will be re-opening? Signs still up in windows saying closed for maintenance, but the cafe's name has been removed and furniture is also gone. Would be a shame to lose it permanently.

It would be a shame to lose a cafe in Ongar but I don't think it would necessarily be a bad thing not have that particular cafe. I think a Starbucks with late opening would be great there!

Alaska1

Twizzler wrote: »

Has anyone heard if the cafe will be re-opening? Signs still up in windows saying closed for maintenance, but the cafe's name has been removed and furniture is also gone. Would be a shame to lose it permanently.

tbh if the signs are takin' down, it isn't a good sign of reopening.

fletch

Alaska1 wrote: »

tbh if the signs are takin' down, it isn't a good sign of reopening.

Could be rebranding?

Twizzler

Alaska1 wrote: »

tbh if the signs are takin' down, it isn't a good sign of reopening.

Yes, that's what I was thinking too. Just seems to be conflicting messages there because they have left the signs up in the window saying they're temporarily closed, and they posted on Facebook a few weeks ago that they would be re-opening, but the circumstances could have changed between now and then.

Anyway, thanks for the replies. If anyone hears anything, maybe you could let us know. Not life or death I know, but the street is dead without the cafe and it'd be good to see it back - and if not as D&K, as something else (as someone else suggested).

ongarboy

It all seems very strange. They did a minor revamp before Christmas of the place as well as an enhanced hot food offering/later opening hours etc so this closure seems to be quite sudden. I'm hoping someone else does take over quickly if D&K are leaving for good.

Someone else said Starbucks would be a good replacement but I would find their offering quite limiting (pre packed sandwiches, coffees and pastries). You need something that does full and all day breakfasts, made to order hot and cold sandwiches/salads as well as hot meals. I think something like Kays cafe in Blanch (the smaller one on the upper floor) would be perfect!

annR

Oh yes I like Kay's I would love that. Starbucks no way I don't even like their coffee. I hope something opens up there as I have another maternity leave coming up and don't like the thought of managing without having a cafe in walking distance .. . .spoilt I know but there's many's the day that was my little outing and contact with outside world.

I have a feeling there is something else going on here . . the closure was quite sudden and has been going on for too long now to be anything to do with repairs. It is starting to look like an unplanned permanent closure which is bad luck for them.

Twizzler

Okay, I decided to ring the Ashtown branch today and asked if anyone there knew what was happening with the Ongar branch, and the lady I spoke to said (and I quote) "I don't think they're going to open anymore". That's that then :-(

muppet01

It closed due to fire.
A strange place, service very hot and cold depending on who you got, food quality varied to say the least and the most over priced coffee since starbucks

Larbre34

Can anyone tell me if it has reopened again? thanks

Twizzler

Nope, afraid not!

Twizzler

Just FYI:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76675619

Larbre34

Thanks folks

ongarboy

Just an update - passed by the old cafe in Ongar yesterday and there were a good few workmen inside doing a lot of work so it looks like they are refurbishing it. I'm guessing new owners are taking over. Great news as Ongar was sorely lacking a facility of this kind for the last few months!

It's still a mystery why D+K pulled out -especially so soon after they upgraded the cafe themselves. Someone in an earlier thread mentioned a water problem but I can't see that as the reason they shut shop altogether. Hopefully the new owners provide a better menu. While I loved having the cafe there, I was never mad about the food options.

Larbre34

Good stuff, its handy to have on a saturday morning when youre meeting the missus from yoga etc!

Hows thing going with the Pub, any hassle?

December2012

annR wrote: »

Oh yes I like Kay's I would love that. Starbucks no way I don't even like their coffee. I hope something opens up there as I have another maternity leave coming up and don't like the thought of managing without having a cafe in walking distance .. . .spoilt I know but there's many's the day that was my little outing and contact with outside world.

.

Hi annR there's a cafe in phibblestown community centre.

Gerlad

Larbre34 wrote: »

Good stuff, its handy to have on a saturday morning when youre meeting the missus from yoga etc!

Hows thing going with the Pub, any hassle?

Not that I'm aware of. Only pop into it for the odd match so not the best jusge.

Got told by one of the barmen through that they're putting in a steakhouse upstairs shortly.

ongarboy

just driving past this afternoon and builders were finishing off the outdoor signage. The new name is Rendezvous! I like the sound of that - good choice!

The logo also had Breakfasts, Bagels and Salads on the signs. Best of luck to the new operators and I hope it's a great success for them! A much needed welcome addition to the Ongar retail and social offering!

December2012

According to staff in there it will be opening tomorrow!

Twizzler

Yes, it's definitely open! Great to have a coffee shop back. Am going there today to show some support. Hopefully it will be a big success.

ongarboy

Will be away for a few weeks so will be interested to hear some of your reviews before I try it out myself.

fletch

Went to go here yesterday for my lunch but spotted the same (rude) staff and everything looked the same as before which I didn't like so I passed.

susiewoosie

Same staff, same menu - just a different name.

slavedave

Just back from a couple of hours there with a friend. Good coffee, good ambience and layout. Nice enough experience all together. Great to be able to walk to a coffee shop from where I live - marginally nearer than the venues in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Hope it goes well for them.

PS - only visited D&K once before when it was open and had a similar experience then too.

ongarboy

yeah, been there too in the last couple of days - same old same old really, including that notorious rude old wan..disappointed to see her again but the food and other staff were fine.

Twizzler

I'm not sure why a few people have said it's the same staff. Most of the staff are new - there's only one previous staff member working there now (the woman Ongarboy referred to). The new management are a couple from Cavan and they are around every day working there themselves. The menu is pretty much the same as the D&K menu. It seems to be ticking over every time I pass it, so fingers crossed it is going well because it's in all of our interests to have a local cafe, even if it's not to everyone's tastes.

December2012

I have to say I was going in there for years and I never had a problem with the staff.