An award-winning Portadown hotspot for lovers of bikes and buns has announced its impending closure due to an “ongoing and continuing staffing problem”.
Based out of McCrum’s Motorcycles, McCrum’s Coffee & Bistro on the Armagh Road, made the shock announcement on Friday, September 20.
Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Wes and Adeline McCrum’s café has been a staple of both bike-lovers and non-biking bistro goers since opening its doors back in February 2019.
Speaking to Armagh I in 2021, Wes proudly announced: “We are the only motorcycle shop in Ireland with a coffee shop and we are the only motorcycle shop in Ireland open seven days a week.”
In the last number of years their hard work had been rewarded with the eatery picking up a number of prestigious awards including Best Café in County Armagh at the Irish Restaurant Awards and Best Coffee Shop in the High Street Heroes NI awards.
Related: Coffee shop based in Portadown motorcycle store takes High Street Hero top spot
McCrum’s café customers came from all walks of life. They had frequent visits from motorcycle and scooter clubs based all over the country and they formed an incredible rapport with many local pensioners who enjoyed the craic just as much as the coffee.
Such was their success that it wouldn’t have been unusual to fight for your seat on a Saturday or Sunday with the establishment often seeing up to 150 covers between breakfast and lunch.
In a social media announcement, Wes said: “As with many businesses in the hospitality sector we face an ongoing and continuing staffing problem.
“We therefore have made the difficult decision to close our coffee shop.
“Our last day of service will be Saturday, September 28.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last five and a half years and made this a special place.
“Thank you all.”
McCrum’s Motorcycles will continue to operate as normal.
