Citing what’s become a familiar story in Vancouver—with unaffordable rent increases being a major thread—Kafka’s has announced that it’s getting ready to serve its last lattes on Main Street.

After 12 years of doing business on the 2500 block of Vancouver's hippest neighbourhood, the coffee shop will close sometime between mid and late April.

In announcing the news, Kafka’s said: “With an unsustainable rent increase and the relentless disruptive construction on our front doorstep, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to close the original Kafka’s. It’s straight-up hard making a small independent business work in this climate. Our first café was born out of a passion for quality coffee and a deep love for the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, and you welcomed us with open arms. We have been woven into the fabric of this vibrant community for 12 years; it is hard to believe we will soon no longer be serving the 2500 block of Main.”

It’s not all bad news for fans of Kafka’s, which first opened in Vancouver in 2010, and began roasting its coffee in-house last year. Staff from the original Main Street location has been shifted to its outlets on Great Northern Way and in Gastown.

The company is also getting ready to open Kafka’s In the Park later this spring in downtown Vancouver at Smithe and Richards.