A much-loved community cafe in Levenshulme has announced it will close its doors for good later this month.
Aunty Ji’s on Stockport Road, legendary for its cups of chai and South Asian food, broke the news on Wednesday evening with owners blaming rising costs for the decision in a statement posted on its website and social media pages.
The popular South Asian cafe has become a treasured part of the local community since opening in 2020, but now owners say it ‘just isn’t feasible’ to continue operating in its current form any longer.
Revealing that, over the past few months, the team had ‘tried a number of different things to turn things around,’ owners went on to say ‘sadly, they haven’t been enough to save Aunty Ji’s.’
However, it’s not all doom and gloom as the Asian fusion kitchen has also revealed plans to launch a new condiments brand, Raju.
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Owners also hinted that Aunty Ji’s could ‘be back in some form’ further down the line ‘as Raju’s comes to fruition’, although they ‘can’t be sure for the moment’.
Image: Aunty Ji’s
Image: The Manc Eats
The full statement reads: “Hello, This is difficult to say, Aunty Ji’s is closing.
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“Rising costs have led to a situation where it just isn’t feasible to be operating in our current form anymore.
“One of the things I’ve loved most since opening is talking to you, our customers. Since opening, we’ve shared so many great conversations, laughs, forged connections, developed friendships and more.
“The team and and I have tried a number of different things to turn things around over the past few months, sadly, they haven’t been enough to save Aunty Jis.
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“I hope that the memories and experiences you had in Aunty Jis will forever hold a special place in your hearts, as they will in mine.
Image: Aunty Ji’s
Image: The Manc Eats
“While this chapter is coming to a close, I believe that every ending brings the promise of a new beginning. For me this will be Raju, a new home condiments brand that I’ve been working on over the past few months. Raju will posses many of the same passions and ideals of Aunty Ji’s and I’m really looking forward to getting started with it.
“There’s a chance that as Raju’s comes to fruition that we may be back in some form. But I can’t be sure for the moment.
“Aunty Ji’s is open till Tuesday 20th June. I’d love to see you before we say bye.”
A third added: “So so sad to hear this. Such fond memories in AJ’s and really sorry to hear things have been so tough. But excited for the future and Raju too. Keep us posted xx”
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A fourth commented: “so sorry to hear this, wish you all the success in the world for Raju. I will miss your masala chai, which is the best I’ve had since laying on the beaches of India and a lovely old lady supplying me with endless chai and calling me a chicken lollipop.”
A fifth said: “I hope you do return in another form. I loved dining with you when I lived in Levenshulme. Best of luck! Thanks for the amazing Chai.”
Featured image – Aunty Ji’s
Eats
Hidden Manchester bar Mala to offer unique ‘movie night’ experiences inside private cabins
You can have your own private film experience inside little wooden cabins at a popular Northern Quarter bar this summer.
Manchester city centre secret garden spot Mala is hosting an event where you and your friends can enjoy a private movie night with food, themed drinks, and bucket loads of free popcorn.
Listed as the ‘Cabin Movie Night’, get ready to sit back, relax and watch a cult classic, all from the comfort of your own personal wooden hut.
The film you’ll be watching is very on-brand too, as it’s none other than none than ‘Labyrinth’.
This secret garden spot is hiding right in plain sight over on Dale Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and as well as hosting events such as these, they’re also home to some top tier eateries too.
Currently El Jefe, Doodles, Wok Bros, Christakis, D&X Caribbean, and Gulf are all serving up some cross-continental delights for you to enjoy in this marvellous space.
Some mouth-watering scran from El Jefe.Wok Bros have some delicious noodle boxes. Credit: The Manc Group
The Cabin Movie Night’ is the perfect way to round up your friends and watch a classic with a cocktail in hand.
There’s a handful of group packages available too at an additional charge, ranging from £30 to £50, which includes themed cocktails for each guest in the booking, and the cost of the ticket.
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
Georgina Pellant -
15th June 2023 
