General News
10 December, 2020
“Heartbreaking” decision to close Tri Mo Cafe
MORTLAKE’S Tri Mo Cafe owner Geraldine Edar has made the “heartbreaking” decision to close the cafe at the end of next week – Friday, December 18.
MORTLAKE’S Tri Mo Cafe owner Geraldine Edar has made the “heartbreaking” decision to close the cafe at the end of next week – Friday, December 18.
She said the decision was made in an effort to rest and recover from her ongoing respiratory issues after suffering a “close call” which required her to be airlifted to Melbourne for treatment.
“I get really fatigued and my chronic illness made the decision for me in the end,” she said.
“It has been a very hard decision to make. I have been contemplating it for two months.
“With trips to hospital, it is just not worth it to keep opening and closing.”
Ms Edar originally moved to the region for work with the intention of staying for a short period.
Mortlake quickly became home, and she spent more than a decade working with youth and community groups for the Moyne Shire Council before opening the Tri Mo Cafe two years ago.
She said the decision to open a cafe in Mortlake was “not rocket science” after falling in love with the town.
“The community has accepted and embraced me,” she said.
“I wanted to be in Mortlake.
“The community just embraced me to a point that even with COVID-19; the community really got behind me and supported my business.”
She said she has loved owning and operating the cafe but knew she needed to prioritise her health.
“I spoke with a few people about closing. My daughter put her foot down and told me she didn’t want me to get sick again,” Ms Edar said.
“You close the shop and close it now. Those were her words.”
Ms Edar said she had wanted to make a difference when she opened the cafe, and locals had embraced the concept of an establishment which gives back to those who need it most.
“This cafe is not just any cafe, it also supports a school and an orphanage overseas,” she said.
Ten per cent of revenue from the Tri Mo Cafe has been sent overseas each month to help children in the outskirts of Davao City, Philippines.
“For every purchase, no matter how much, the money feeds a lot of children in our school; which this community helped to build,” Ms Edar said
Numerous pictures adorned the walls of the Tri Mo Cafe which proudly showcased the impact the cafe has had in the Philippines, including pictures of locals who have made the journey to help in person.
Ms Edar said the cafe had donated tens of thousands of dollars overthe years.
“We have supported about 4000 children in that school,” she said.
“The students get fed every day for breakfast, and that could be the only meal for the day for some of those children.”
Ms Edar said she was definitely staying in Mortlake.
She will take some time to rest and recover before hopefully returning to work with community groups.
“I love working with the community, I love working with young people, so I would love to go back to that,” she said.
Locals have already begun pouring into the cafe to enjoy their favourite meals and offer their best wishes.
Ms Edar thanked the people of Mortlake for their support and said she had received customers from as far as Hexham, Lismore and Timboon.
“I cannot thank everyone enough for their support, their encouragement and genuinely caring,”she said.
“I don’t have the words. Saying thanks does not capture my gratitude.”
