A popular Riccarton cafe has been forced to close until at least Wednesday after it was “ransacked” over the weekend.

Mandeville Street Kitchen owner Sarah-Jane told chrislynchmedia.com that the cafe’s back door was crowbarred open in what she calls a “really random attack” — and based on the mess made throughout the premises, it was “not a methodical one. It was ransacked.”

She said the burglars made off with thousands of dollars worth of butter, cheese, 30 trays of eggs, and baked goods.

All the cash was taken, and the till and technology equipment were either stolen or wrecked.

Sarah-Jane said all the fridges and freezers had been turned off, so the remaining food inside had to be thrown out.

Messages of support have been pouring in on social media from loyal customers: “You are all probably unaware of how much of a difference you make in the lives of your customers. Thank you for the cheerful good mornings and the delicious food you make.”

“Such a wilful act of ignorance and not fair when you work so hard to deliver happiness,” said another post.

Police confirmed to Chris Lynch Media that they received a report of a burglary at a commercial premises on Mandeville Street on Sunday, and “initial enquiries into the report are being made”.