Customers raise funds for retiring cafe owners
ASOUTHSIDE community is raising funds for the owners of a popular cafe who have announced their retirement after 40 years in business.
Dino and Mirella Iafrate have spent almost half a century running the Bluebird Cafe on Cathcart Road. The news of their retirement has seen an outpouring of support as locals share their happy memories of time spent in the eatery.
Now, their loyal customers are showing their appreciation with a Just Giving page aiming to raise cash as thank you for the pair’s years of hard work.
Organisers said: “As you all know that Dino and Mirella from the Bluebird Cafe are retiring after 40 years They have been a big asset to our community and helped everyone for years with their kind donations
“We thought it would be good to give them something back and show how much we loved and appreciated what they have done for years for many people in Govanhill
“Anyone can put whatever they like from a £1 upwards to give them back a wee slice of what they’ve done for us over the years. We would like to wish them both a happy and well-deserved retirement They will be sorely missed.”
After just one night, the page has already reached £430 in donations and looks set to smash the initial £500 target.
It’s no surprise, given that the cafe owners appear to feel the same love in return for their regulars.
In a heartfelt social media post, the couple’s daughter shared a message on their behalf.
She said: “Mum and dad would like to thank from the very bottom of their hearts the kind and loyal customers and now friends who have visited the Bluebird for the past 40 years.”
Although Dino and Mirella will be stepping back from their roles tomorrow, the cafe will stay open under new ownership.