Cocoa Joe’s in Museum Street to close immediately on June 1

Cocoa Joe’s in Museum Street has announced on social media that it has shut  permanently from yesterday (June 1) – due to increases in pricing putting the business in a situation where it ‘simply can’t keep going.’

The café, which was voted in the top 10 by Press readers back in December, is owned by University of York graduate Joe Andrew and serves 16 types of drinking chocolate where flavours and toppings change regularly.

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It then undergoes a three-stage process involves using solid chocolate which can be sampled by each customer before being made into their drink of choice with chocolate sourced from all over the world.

The York location is the brand’s second shop – opening its doors in May 2021 – with the original Patley Bridge location able to stay open due to lower overhead costs.

The news of the closure was shared through a graphic on Facebook saying that the shop would be permanently closing its doors after June 1.

Owner and director Joe Andrew at the shop’s York opening It said: “Sadly, at the end of Sunday 1st of June 2025 we will be closing the doors of Cocoa Joe’s York store for the final time.  We have had four brilliant years of serving our finest hot chocolate drinks to the lovely York community and to customers from all over the world, but sadly (and we are devastated about this) we are no longer able to stay open. 

“Cocoa prices have more than trebled in three years and other costs have gone up well beyond the rate of inflation, leaving us in a situation where the business simply can’t keep going.

One of the cafe’s signature chocolates “This is not a decision that was made lightly, and we are incredibly grateful for all the support we have had over the past four years. 

“We are also hugely appreciative of the amazing team who have delivered on our goal to provide an incredible customer experience over the past four years.”