Stornoway’s Café Cabana is hoping to attract a new owner, less than a year after its opening brought hundreds of customers through the doors, with proprietors Angus and Anna saying they have had to make the difficult decision because of their other business commitments.
Anna and Angus Mackay, who took over the former Mac’s premises in Church Street, said the café had been an “incredible success” and stressed that the decision to seek a buyer was not because the business was struggling.
Instead, they hope to find someone who can build on the reputation they have established, retain their existing staff and continue serving the café’s loyal customer base.
In a Facebook announcement, the owners said: “This is a post we never imagined writing so soon but after much thought, we’ve made the difficult decision to look for someone to take over our much-loved Café Cabana.”
They added that the café had become everything they had hoped for and more, thanks to its customers and team.
“We genuinely believe at Café Cabana, we have the best team in the whole of Stornoway!” they said.
The couple’s journey into the café business began after Angus, an experienced chef with 30 years in the industry, decided he wanted to return home from working offshore.
His experience included working at the Cabarfeidh Hotel and Digby Chick’s before he moved offshore around 15 years ago.
The couple bought Stornoway Bed & Breakfast to allow Angus to return home, but he was keen to spend more time cooking.
When the opportunity arose to take over the former Mac’s premises, they decided to make a bid, with the call coming while they were in Crete on their way to the airport to return home.
They secured the keys on 3 November last year and opened Café Cabana on 2 December, following a busy month preparing the premises with help from family and friends.
The café made an immediate impression, serving more than 200 people on its opening day. During its first week, the business attracted close to 1,000 customers.
Anna, who combines her work at the café with her nursing career, previously described herself and Angus as “very happy with how things are going”, saying they were delighted to see regular customers returning alongside new visitors.
The café’s name also reflects the family behind the business, incorporating the initials of their daughters, Chloe and Bethany, alongside Angus and Anna.
Now, however, the owners say their other businesses also need their time and attention, leaving them unable to give Café Cabana the commitment it deserves.
They are hoping to sell the café’s equipment and furnishings alongside the business, ideally to someone who will keep the existing team together and continue what they have started.
“This is a fantastic business opportunity to take on an established, thriving café with a brilliant reputation, loyal customers and a wonderful team already in place,” they said.
The owners emphasised that Café Cabana remains open and continues to serve its usual menu while they look for a successor.
Anyone interested in taking over the business, or who knows someone who may be interested, is invited to contact the owners privately for a confidential discussion.
Enquiries can be made by emailing
The couple thanked their customers for making Café Cabana such a special place and said they hoped to find someone who would allow it to continue flourishing.
