Popular couple in Tipperary 'hanging up their aprons' at The French Quarter Café

After nearly 18 years of trading, the French Quarter Café owners, Loic L'Herrou & Annemarie Ryan are hanging up their aprons. 

However, the good news is that the café will continue to trade as the French Quarter Café, under the management of the Tipperary Excel Heritage Centre.

The much-loved café staff will still be there to meet, greet and serve customers, so it will be business as usual. In a post on social media the couple announced their departure from the business.

"After nearly 18 years it is time for me to take some time off and to plan for the next stage in my life.  Moving to Tipperary and running the café has been a very big accomplishment. I am very proud of my family, my staff and of what we have contributed to Tipperary town," said Loic L'Herrou.

His business partner and wife Annmarie Ryan, who is also a Tipperary County Councillor, said that she will be very sad to leave the café.

"It is a huge part of our lives and we have loved every minute of running this family business. However, neither of us has the same energy that we had 18 years ago. I also have other work commitments and it has become increasingly hard to juggle my growing workload," said Annemarie.

Since opening in 2007, The French Quarter Café has become an integral part of the Tipperary Excel Centre. It is well known and loved for its home baking, good quality affordable food and of course, it's wonderful hardworking staff.

Indeed, staff member Liz, has been with the café from day one and is the fabulous baker of all the good stuff, such as pavlovas, lemon meringues, cheesecakes, homemade scones and more.

Staff members Magda, Dee and Laura, between them, have over 30 years of service in the FQ Café, and are an integral part of the business and are fully trained and equipped to carry on the high standards of food preparation and delivery for which the French Quarter Cafe is renowned.

Claire, Katie & Danielle will also continue to provide the warm and professional service that customers have come to expect.

Tipperary Excel Board of Management has worked closely with the French Quarter for the past 18 years. When they were approached by Loic and Annemarie, the Board agreed to take over the running of the café, thereby allowing for continuity of service to its customers and maintaining the employment of the existing staff. The Board has also commented on the development.

"We are delighted to be able to work with Loic, Annemarie and the staff to ensure the continuity of the French Quarter Café. With continued public support, the board hopes to increase the opening hours of the café to a 6-day week, resulting in hiring more staff. Coupled with ongoing plans to reopen the cinema, it looks like an exciting start to 2024 at the Excel Arts and Heritage Centre," said a spokesperson.

Loic and Annemarie want to thank the community of Tipperary Town and surrounds for their overwhelming support for the past 18 years.

Many of these customers are now their good friends.

They also want to thank their staff as a business is only as good as the staff, and the French Quarter Café staff are the best of the best, they state.

Finally, they wish to express their gratitude to the Excel Board of Management for working with them to ensure the continuity of the café and to wish them every success for the next 18 years.

In conclusion we would like to extend our thanks and best wishes to Loic and Annemarie for the great service that they gave over the past 18 years and we wish them the very best of luck in the future.