Rose & Fern Still Looking For New Location, Will Close After December

Rose & Fern will close its doors at the end of December as owner Becky Tranchell continues to look for a new location, Tranchell announced in a website post Tuesday. The company's lease is coming to an end on Eighth Street, though Tranchell said Rose & Fern will remain open there through December 31 and will add an extra day of service on Wednesdays so that the business is open six days a week.

Tranchell said Wednesday service will start this week (December 1), meaning the cafe will operate every day but Tuesday from 8am-2pm. Rose & Fern is still takeout only, which Tranchell said is "less laborious, more lucrative, and better for my staff." She added that all profits from December are going directly to employees. In addtion to the cafe's regular menu, Rose & Fern will also offer "seasonal drinks, gift boxes, and Mom’s Christmas candy" through December, according to the post.

Tranchell noted that it would be "a tidier story if I could announce our next step and do a big reveal of a new location. But this is life in the service industry. Even when things seem great, they’re precarious. So far, the space we need to do what we want, and do it well, just isn’t there. It might come along, and I’m still looking, but I’m clear about my parameters...I’ve worked service jobs for 15 years, a whole career navigating the risks of this business. That’s why I’m selective and careful about my next move."

Tranchell cited several specifications she's looking for in a new location, including at 1,400 square feet of space, room for partner Stockist Coffee Company, a full kitchen with hood system, and ideally an Eighth Street or east side location, though she said she was "open to other pedestrian-friendly and accessible neighborhoods." She added: "I’m prepared for a build-out. That’s not the issue. The issue is paying $400K+ to build out someone else’s space, while also paying rent. I need long-term stability and full autonomy. Otherwise it’s too much debt with too little security."

Tranchell said she planned to "rest, get well, reflect, and explore" after Rose & Fern closes until a new location is secured. "Running my own business gave me control over my life and work - autonomy I had never experienced before," she wrote. "I’ll continue to decide what is best for me, and right now that means stopping. I have so much love and appreciation for you all. Let’s celebrate what we’ve got while we’re here."