Terrytown Cafe, a Westbank fixture for 41 years, announced on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, that Wednesday, July 8, 2026, would be its last day in business. The family-run spot said the shutdown came on short notice after the building changed hands and the new owners declined to renew the lease, and invited longtime customers and workers to stop in for one final breakfast and a cup of coffee.
Lease ends overnight after building sale
According to WDSU, the cafe broke the news in a social media post on Tuesday, explaining that the building had been sold and the new owner did not want to extend the lease. The outlet noted that the message, imported from the cafe's Facebook page, included a last-minute plea for customers to swing by the next morning. WDSU also reported that the cafe planned to serve breakfast plates and coffee on its final day, but would not be offering donuts.
Owners say goodbye to their “family”
"We will miss you guys so much," the cafe wrote in its farewell note, adding that customers and employees had "truly become family." The message, as reproduced by WDSU, framed the closure as abrupt but heavy on gratitude for decades of loyalty. The post did not outline any immediate plans for staff beyond that final service.
From donut counter to neighborhood anchor
The business traces its roots to 1991, when owner Phillip Songy opened what started as a donut counter and gradually expanded it into a full-service neighborhood restaurant, according to Terrytown Cafe's website. Over more than four decades, the spot built a reputation for breakfast, burgers, king cakes and a loyal morning crowd. The cafe's site also lists hours and contact information for anyone looking to keep tabs on future updates.
Westbank regulars share memories
Local patrons did not take long to react. Neighbors began posting memories and photos in a thread on Reddit, recalling first jobs and long-running routines built around the cafe's donuts and breakfast plates. The responses highlight how tightly woven Terrytown Cafe had become into daily life on the Westbank.
After 41 years on the Westbank, Terrytown Cafe's abrupt closure stands as another example of a longtime neighborhood spot caught in the shuffle when property ownership changes hands. This story will be updated if the cafe's owners or the building's new proprietors share additional details.
