22/08/2026
We have some difficult news to share.
After 12 years, the time has come to hang up our aprons and switch off the coffee machine. This is one of the hardest, emotional decisions I’ve ever had to make.
Serving the visitors at Haddo has been the honour of my life and it fulfilled a dream to run my own business. It has helped support our wonderful girls, give them life skills, and the same for a long list of other staff members over the years.
We know this will come as a shock to our customers, many of whom have become close friends, and who have shared in our story. Without your support, our little shop at Haddo would not have become what it has today. I have so many fond, wonderful memories. We lived through and adapted to a global pandemic, the shop remained standing after Storm Arwen, which devastated the surrounding woodlands. I can’t imagine how many baguettes, coffees, cakes and scones we have actually served over the years, but my elbows seem to tell me it’s lots!
It is time for me to get my weekends back and enjoy some quality time with my family, all of whom are growing up fast, before deciding what I want to do when I grow up 😊
We hope to leave on a high with a run up to the 25th October before closing our doors for the final time. We would love to see our friends and customers new and old enjoying Mrs Smiths and sharing our final few weeks.
Mrs Smith’s at Haddo came to be after a conversation with the late Lord Aberdeen, Alexander Gordon, an idea which has flourished over many years. We would like to thank the Gordon family - Lady Joanna, George and Isabelle, and the whole Haddo Estate team for their support. Your warmth and friendship goes far beyond that of a landlord.
Of course, we will continue to give it our all until the final curtain. If you have vouchers, please make sure to use them up before our last day of trading.
Hospitality is really challenging and our little shop is no less demanding than any other. Costs are ever increasing, resources are few and the days are increasing long to make these ventures work. It is important to support local and help those in your community to employ, to serve and to create future opportunities.
Mrs Smiths has supported many young people, who have gone on to bigger and better things, including Teachers, journalists, Engineers & Artists and it has supported me, to which I will be eternally grateful.
With all my love,
Elaine AKA “Mrs Smith”
