After a decade at the heart of Broughshane, Winnie’s 1975 changes hands this week

Winnie with her three daughters pictured outside Winnie’s 1975, in Broughshane.

A much-loved Broughshane café and gift shop is entering a new chapter this week as the family behind Winnie’s 1975 prepares to hand over the keys after ten years at the heart of village life.

In an emotional statement issued today, Wednesday 1 April, Winnie, owner of Winnie’s 1975 on Main Street, confirmed that the family has made the difficult decision to step away from the business, with new owners set to take over this Friday, 3 April.

For many in Broughshane, the news will mark the end of an era for a café and shop that has become more than just a business — a familiar meeting place, a community hub, and, as Winnie herself described it, a true “home from home”.

An emotional farewell after ten years

Announcing the decision, Winnie said:

“After ten years, the time has finally come.

“We as a family have made the decision to step away from Winnies 1975, and this Friday (April 3rd) we hand the keys over to the new owners.”

The message struck a deeply personal note, reflecting on a decade that the family described as both the “hardest and most rewarding” period of their lives.

“The past ten years have been the hardest and most rewarding of our lives. Every single person who has walked through that door has meant the world to us. Whether you came in once or became part of our family, you have left a mark on us that we will carry forever. We have absolutely loved meeting every one of you.”

The statement is likely to resonate strongly with local customers who have made Winnie’s 1975 a regular part of their daily and weekly routines over the years.

Community invited to say goodbye

Ahead of Friday’s handover, Winnie has invited customers and friends to call in for one final farewell.

“If you’d like to come and say your final goodbyes, we would love nothing more than to see your faces one last time before we go on Friday.”

For a business so closely woven into village life, the invitation is expected to draw many familiar faces from across Broughshane and beyond.

A new chapter — but the same heart remains

Importantly for loyal customers, Winnie stressed that the business itself is not closing.

“Winnies 1975 is not going anywhere. Winnie is just moving on, all staff are remaining and the heart of this place will live on.”

The reassurance that staff will remain in place and that the shop and coffee shop will continue under new ownership is likely to bring comfort to regulars concerned about the future of the popular Main Street destination.

Winnie also urged the local community to continue supporting the business as it begins its next chapter.

“Please continue to love and support the shop and coffee shop, and pop in to meet your wonderful new owners!”

A heartfelt thank you

The family also paid tribute to the team who helped build the business over the last decade.

“To every staff member who helped us build this alongside us, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. You helped make this what it is.”

Closing the message, Winnie summed up the significance of the shop not only for customers, but for the family themselves.

“Winnies will always be your home from home. It has certainly been ours.

“All our love, always - Winnie & her 3 girls.”

For Broughshane, Friday will be both a goodbye and a beginning — a fond farewell to the family who shaped Winnie’s 1975 over the past ten years, and a warm welcome to those set to carry its legacy forward.

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At a glance

• Winnie’s 1975 on Main Street, Broughshane, is changing ownership this Friday, 3 April

• Owner Winnie announced the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday, 1 April

• The family is stepping away after ten years in business

• Customers have been invited to visit before Friday to say goodbye

• The café and gift shop will remain open under new ownership

• All existing staff are staying on

• Winnie said the “heart of this place will live on”

• The business has become a well-known community hub in Broughshane village