Brightbird Espresso owners Mark and Katrina Brightwell have sold their business, but said the new owners planned to continue the Liebig Street cafe.

The pair transformed the former clothes store to co-establish the cafe in 2010 as first-time business owners and now say "it's time for a change".

"Growing a business is very full on, and takes a massive amount of time and effort, for us it's time to spend more time as a family," Mr Brightwell said.

Ms Brightwell said the business had been not only a cafe, but a "community hub" with art exhibitions and fundraisers that raised thousands following the St Patrick's Day bushfires and for health causes.

"The modern day cafe has become what the old school pub used to be like, it's a relaxed space people come to feel comfortable," Mr Brightwell said.

The couple has taken pride in setting a high standard of professionalism in their cafe and believe the business employed about 150 people in its nine years.

"It's been very much around how we trained our staff, how we collected our staff, and the ongoing commitment to fair pay," Ms Brightwell said.

"We have staff walking through the door who have never been paid award wages.

"We've employed a lot of kids in their first jobs, existing hospitality workers, and mentored a lot of people into the industry."

She said the new owners planned to keep existing staff.

Mr Brightwell, who worked as a barista, said the cafe had "tried to push the boundary" and served adventurous menu items such as pork tacos with a pineapple salsa.

Ms Brightwell said the cafe's minimalist aesthetic showcased "the food, coffee and personalities without being cluttered".

Mr Brightwell said he planned to take a "well earned-break" while Ms Brightwell planned to continue work in the disability sector.

"We are incredibly proud of what we have created and we will feel a bit weird for a little bit," Mr Brightwell said.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.