High end cake store, Black Star Pastry has announced they will be closing all Melbourne branches, with the doors closing on August 18.

This includes the three stores on Acland Street, St Kilda, Driver Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, and inside Chadstone Shopping Centre. The Black Star team shared the news on Instagram and in a statement to the media on Tuesday

“After entering the Melbourne food scene in 2019… Black Star Pastry has made the difficult decision to cease its Melbourne operations,” the statement reads.

“The tough post-COVID trading conditions and economic climate have made it difficult to manage rising costs, and coupled with the industry-wide staffing shortage, the business will revert to operating in its original form, with one cohesive team in NSW.”

The statement also shared that the Sydney stores will continue to operate as usual, and that the greater focus will strengthen the original home store.

The social media post also said that for the last five years in Melbourne “our team have poured their hearts, passion, and creativity into the making of each cake, pastry and coffee served across our stores”.

Founded in Sydney in 2008 by pastry chef Christopher Thé Black Star Pastry first entered the Melbourne market in 2017 with a pop-up store, with the St Kilda store opening its doors in 2019.

The business gained cult status after its Strawberry Watermelon Cake became one of Australia’s most instgrammed desserts, and even got a write up in The New York Times.

The dessert consists of a slice of ripe watermelon between layers of soft almond dacquoise (meringue cake) and rosewater whipped cream, with a top decorated with strawberries, pistachios and dried rose petals.