When it comes to Orchard St, founder and naturopath Kirsten Shanks has done everything with Mother Earth in mind. The business is one of those that exists outside the canon of your standard cafes. In addition to a warm, loving sense of hospitality from each of the four locations, the MO has been distinctly its own: holistic health support, qualified wellness practitioners, plus nourishing juices, broths and elixirs. But, Shanks made the heartfelt announcement that the four stores would be closing on Sunday July 7.

“We have given all of ourselves to keep going, to hold space for you, to reach the greater dream held, but there is only so far you can go until acknowledging the need to rest,” she writes on Instagram.

The wellness house first popped up online in 2012, with the Bronte dispensary coming a few months later. Then came the elixir bars in Bondi, Paddington and Manly. These were the spaces for plant-powered elixirs made with house-made nut milks; juices and broths; smoothies; and a collection of nourishing dishes.

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In Bronte and Bondi, you could also book in for acupuncture, kinesiology, qi gong, breathwork and naturopathy.

“Orchard St has existed to weave the life-enhancing potential of plant medicines into your lives, to serve as a conduit for connection to each other,” Shanks continues. “Holding true to our vision and unwavering lack of compromise on quality and integrity over the past few years has taken more energy, time, resources and love than we imagined possible.”

Perseverance is key to any small independent business, but especially so when you’re pushing peoples’ boundaries. “When we first opened the Bondi elixir bar, it took a wee while for the community to catch onto ’shroom lattes, tao tonics and even green juice,” Shanks told Broadsheet in 2022. But she kept at it, making the beachside beauty one of the busiest outposts.

While she takes a break, Shanks hints at this not being the finale for her. “It is time for us to rest, to give undivided attention to our loved ones and let nature do what she does best: heal. There will be a re-emergence, but to tap into the creativity, clarity and consciousness this requires, first I must fill my own cup.”

Shanks invited anyone interested in taking over the business to reach out, and was floored by the amount of interest shown. So, maybe the spaces will be back in action sooner than we think.

Until then, make moves to any of the four stores this weekend before they transition to shorter operating hours (while a new custodian for the brand is looked for) or shop online with up to 60 per cent off the range of base powders, gut cleanses and supplements.

For the next week, Orchard St's opening hours will reduce to 8am to midday at the Bondi, Manly and Paddington elixir bars, and 10am to 2pm at the Bronte Dispensary. Keep an eye on the Orchard St Instagram for up-to-date announcements.

@orchardstlove