Owner Jane Clarke said she intended to close the cafe on January 14, 2011, when her mum would finally come to see the cafe, but following the floods she saw how much the people of Clunes needed a place to gather, talk and help rebuild their lives.

"I'm glad I put it off because the last year has been the best time for me," Ms Clarke said.

"It's the people that made it for me. I met a lot of people in town that I really liked and finally decided I wasn't a square peg in a round hole after all.

"I will miss the dynamics. People would bring in fresh fruit and vegies and I would barter with them for coffee and cake."

Customers rememb-ered the great coffee and wholesome, fresh food, but they also remembered other quirks.

James Brincat said it turned out to be a nerve centre for friendships.

"It was about friendships and networking and helping each other out and helping the community, particularly after the floods," he said.

"It was the fact you were encouraged to share a table and Jane would introduce you to everyone at your table.

"One table on one particular night has led to me making actual close friends within the community. It was the bloodline of the town."

Lauren Goodrham said: "I always thought that community and belonging was the latest fashionable catchcry, like seachange and treechange."

"But I never understood that until I started going to Jane's and realised how much you can learn from each other over conversations at a breakfast table," she said.

Lorna Fitzpatrick said: "Jane developed a unique space which become our space too - inclusive, relaxed, quirky and very loved."

"Its importance in bringing together many special people has been huge and is already missed," she said.

"The most fitting comment I've heard was from Rebecca at one of our gatherings this past week - "almost everyone in Clunes who is important to me, I met here"."

Dean Homicki said Jane accommodated people from all walks of life. "Jane was really great at bringing community together; she welcomed everyone," he said.

Ms Clarke said she was looking forward to having toast and marmalade in her garden and spending more time with her animals.