Cafes

Les Deux Coqs announces shock closure of Stirling store following devastating fire

Les Deux Coqs has confirmed the closure of their Stirling location in the Adelaide Hills, following the aftermath of a devastating fire at Stirling Village.

In a shock announcement, French charcuterie and patisserie Les Deux Coqs has confirmed the closure of their Stirling location in the Adelaide Hills, following the aftermath of a devastating fire at Stirling Village in 2023 on Sunday October 15th.

The fire, which destroyed the Woolworths store and severely impacted several other local businesses, left a lasting impact on the Stirling community. Investigations later led to the arrest of two 14-year-old boys from the Adelaide Hills, who were charged with arson in connection with the incident.

Stirling Village fire, 2023. Image credit: Brad Griffin

In a statement shared to social media on Thursday January 16th, Les Deux Coqs confirmed its difficult decision to close its Stirling store. The location, which opened just months earlier in October 2023, had initially been met with great success. The first few weeks were described as “sensational,” with the store receiving a warm welcome from the local community, but unfortunately, the damage from the fire was too severe to overcome.

“After much consideration, we have decided to close down our shop in Stirling as of today,” the statement read. “When we opened our shop in October 2023, the first weeks were sensational, and we were absolutely overwhelmed by your welcoming gifts and words. But unfortunately, a few weeks later, a massive fire destroyed Stirling Village and impacted the whole community.”

Despite their best efforts, Les Deux Coqs said the business could no longer survive in its current location. The owners expressed their disappointment, particularly with the lack of support from the Adelaide Hills Council, who they had repeatedly reached out to for help. 

“We won’t defer responsibility, but we are disappointed with the Adelaide Hills Council, which we contacted multiple times without response or support,” the statement continued.

Les Deux Coqs Stirling

The message also served as a reminder to customers about the importance of supporting local businesses, emphasising that such support goes beyond kind words and has a real impact on the success of small businesses.

“We want to take this moment to thank EVERY customer who has been part of our story. Your support and engagement have meant the world to us,” the statement concluded. “For those who will read our post until the end, we want to remind everyone that supporting local businesses is more than just a nice gesture! It’s a vital strategy for fostering a vibrant community and maintaining the local economy.”

Despite the early success, Les Deux Coqs’ time in Stirling was brief. The French-inspired store, known for its charcuterie, pastries, and pantry staples, is famous in South Australia for treats like lemon meringue tarts and crème brûlée. The store brought an authentic taste of France to the heart of the Adelaide Hills, often described as a “French providore” with the sweet smell of freshly baked croissants greeting customers at its crimson door.

The business, led by Katia and Bastien Verslype who are well-loved in Adelaide’s food scene, had been growing rapidly. The couple’s story began at the Adelaide Central Market in 2018, where their humble market stall quickly gained a loyal following. Their first official store, in the Adelaide Central Market, was an instant hit and served as a springboard for opening more locations.

Katia and Bastien Verslype

Although the Stirling store is closing, Les Deux Coqs is still showcasing French flavours at their other locations at the Adelaide Central Market, Rundle Mall, Stirling Laneways, and markets in Willunga and Mount Barker.

As Les Deux Coqs bids farewell to Stirling, their message to the public is to support your local businesses, especially in times of crisis: “Walk down the street and buy from the little grocery shop or the butcher, the bakery, or any small, locally owned shops to avoid writing a post saying ‘you will be missed,'” the owners advised.

“Be mindful that when you write a review about a small business, there is someone behind the screen, reading your words. This person probably woke up very early to produce food, running everywhere to make sure that their business is thriving. Your words may have an impact.”

To read the full statement from Les Deux Coqs Stirling, click here.

For more information on Les Deux Coqs and their other stores, click here.

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