Thunders Bakery, the Dublin chain with eight branches, has announced its closure.
The home bakery and deli, established in 1969, said its business had become unsustainable following a period of trading problems.
The business operated eight branches across Dublin including in Clontarf, Donaghmede, Phibsborough and Drumcondra on the north side, and in Walkinstown on the south side.
In an Instagram message, it told customers it had ceased trading and warned of some disruption to orders.
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“The company has experienced difficult trading conditions in recent months and has become unsustainable,” it said.
“We acknowledge that you may have a cake pre-order with us. We will not be able to fulfill your order.”
Management said it would be in contact with those who had placed orders, and thanked its customers. The company could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday through its branches or solicitors. Its Clontarf store had its shutters down on Monday afternoon.
Latest accounts filed for Thunders, for the financial year ending September, 2022, show the business made a loss of €66,700, and held net assets of €826,430. The company employed 66 staff, down from 75 the previous year.
Its directors’ remuneration for 2022 was listed as €84,800 with €10,825 in pension contributions.
News of its closure prompted reaction online. One social media post read: “There wasn’t a birthday cake that was gotten for us that wasn’t from there…So sad to see it go.”
Another said: “Awful news, pity there is no way of a big financial saviour to come in as the cakes were truly wonderful in Thunders.”
News of the closure comes just months after Breadman Walking, the popular community-focused “nano-bakery” in Dublin 8 also closed.
Proprietor Gerry Godley, who said he took the decision due to planning reasons, recalled how he had created a local business template where “friends became customers and customers became friends”.
