Cafe Cuba Closes Permanently After 28 Years in Palmerston North

Cafe Cuba, a well-known spot in the heart of Palmerston North, has announced its permanent closure after nearly three decades of service.

The café, which first opened in 1996, shared the news on Facebook Tuesday morning, describing the decision as heartbreaking but expressing gratitude for the support and memories over the years.
 “Though this chapter has come to an end, the memories and friendships will always stay with us. From our family to yours, thank you for everything,” the post read.

Owned by Darlene and Paul “Woody” Woodhead, Cafe Cuba has long been regarded as an institution in the city. Darlene was described as the “brains, face, and heart” of the operation. The farewell message also acknowledged the hard work of staff, saying, “Cafe Cuba would not have been where it is without all your blood, sweat, and tears.”

In a 2017 interview with Stuff, Darlene credited the café’s success to great service and “a little bit of luck.” “Even if the food’s average, when the service is amazing, people will keep coming back,” she said at the time.

No official reason was given for the closure. However, Companies Office records show that Castro Limited, the company behind Cafe Cuba and directed by the Woodheads, went into liquidation on August 19.

The announcement prompted an outpouring of sadness from the community. Many customers described Cafe Cuba as a “Palmy institution,” sharing fond memories of its food, coffee, and warm atmosphere. Some specifically mentioned the café’s famous silk cake, which had been on the menu for around 20 years. “Surely they can give us the silk cake recipe now?” one commenter wrote.

Located on the corner of George and Cuba Street, Cafe Cuba was part of a cluster of eateries that helped shape the area’s reputation as the “Palmerston North Parnell.” Its closure comes amid a wider trend of hospitality shutdowns, which have risen from 1,614 in 2021 to 2,370 in 2024.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/360796039/iconic-palmerston-north-cafe-closes-its-doors-after-many-wonderful-years