An Orlando cafe has closed its doors after five years in business after the owner of the establishment was denied a visa extension because she refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Café Linger closed the doors on its location at 2912 Edgewater Drive in Orlando’s College Park community last month after more than five years in business.
Owner Christina Gribkowsky says she was forced to close the café after she refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and her visa was not renewed. In a social media post, she thanked the many customers that visited the café over the years.
“With an incredible team, amazing friends and loyal supporters and regulars, I was able to bring my vision to life and love what I do – serve people. I never thought a vaccine would force me into having to find a new direction in my life, but I’m sticking to what I believe in,” said Gribkowsky. “The last 5 years have been wild for me building Café Linger from the ground up, but I’ve been welcomed into the Orlando community with open arms.”
The business joins multiple others that have closed their doors in College Park over the past several months, including El Vic’s Kitchen and Thai Farm Kitchen, which both closed after their leases weren’t renewed. In November, Jade Sushi & New Asian was closed for a similar reason after over a decade in business in College Park.