Taking last calls for her decadent cakes in a few weeks time, she says she is prioritising her health.

Come mid June The Sweetest Things on Katherine Terrace may well become another empty shop front, as Mrs Read relocates to First Street where she will be operating as a dedicated florist.

"Working for 14 to 16 hours every day for the past five years has had a huge impact on my health," Mrs Read said.

"Before I opened this shop I was working crazy hours at the Golf Club as a chef and now my body is just not coping.

"My body is more important than making cakes."

The decision to close the successful business will mean more time for herself as she embarks on the next stepping stone in her life, it may also mean never baking a cake again.

After creating more than 6000 delicious master pieces for hundreds of special occasions, who could blame her.

"It is not something I will miss dearly, I didn't even eat cakes before I started up the shop," Mrs Read said.

"I thought it would be an easy ride, but after five years of tasting cakes to make sure they are on point, the sugar starts to take its toll - as delicious as it has been."

Closing day will be a sad day for locals as well, who have bought thousands upon thousand of the popular pies and sausage rolls.

The string of break-ins, which have left the small business down and out on more than a couple of occasions, has added to the decision to relocate, Mrs Read said.

"I am going on holidays for one month and I didn't want to come back to smashed windows. It has definitely added to the stress.

"We have also had a couple of issues with Biz-secure.

"My health was the first reason, and the break-ins was the second."

Over the next couple of weeks, the baker-slash-florist and her husband will be locking down a new shop and packing away the old.

She said she is looking forward to sleep-ins after years of a 4am alarm, getting back into art and her garden and starting a course in hypnotherapy.

"I am very excited about the next step in my life," she said.

"As much as I will miss the shop and the regulars, I am looking forward to getting back to a healthier lifestyle."

For those fretting about where they will get their cakes from now on, Mrs Read said she has a few people lined up ready to take on the baking challenge.

"I have said to people there are others in town who make amazing cakes, and I will continue to work with them to make sure there is always that option," she said.

"People will still be able to get beautiful cakes for a birthday or a gift, in a box, it just won't be from me."

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