Customers and friends have paid loving tributes to Eric Devos, the owner of the Sign of the Kiwi cafe and bar on Christchurch’s Port Hills, who has died suddenly.

His death was announced in a statement posted to the cafe’s Facebook and Instagram public pages on Saturday night.

The statement said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden loss of our boss, our friend Eric.

Many of you have had the pleasure of knowing Eric. Always up for a yarn, a cheeky joke and a great support to the local community.

With Eric’s magnetic personality along with his relaxed vibe Eric created a beautiful space for us all to enjoy.

“A large void has been left and as we grieve the loss of our friend, we celebrate the amazing person that he was. Along with Eric’s loving family Kimberli, Madeleine and Amelie we hope to make him proud and continue the legacy he has created at The Kiwi.”

Tributes from customers quickly followed. One regular wrote: “Even as just a single one of the many customers of Eric and his wonderful team at the Sign of the Kiwi, like so many others here, he has been such a lovely presence to meet at the cafe.

“The unabashed humour, kindness, and genuine care he brought to every interaction either with myself or anyone else present is irreplaceable.

“He’s the sort of giant of a gentleman who will always be in people’s minds for the goodness he’s brought to more of those people and places than could ever be counted.”

Another customer said Eric leave such a massive hole in the fabric of Christchurch’s culture.

“He created such a beautiful legacy through the way he ran Sign of the Kiwi. Whenever I was showing visitors around Christchurch, Sign of the Kiwi was always our first stop. I knew we’d be warmly welcomed and well looked after, and his cheerful personality made every visit that little bit more special.

He touched the lives of so many people, and his legacy will live on in the countless memories made there. Sending so much love to his family and everyone who knew him.”

Devos had run the Sign of the Kiwi since the heritage building reopened in January 2017, in time for its 100th anniversary, after it was closed for six years following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The cafe sits at the top of Dyers Pass Road where it meets Summit Road.

Under Devos, the cafe became one of the best known stops on the Port Hills, drawing walkers, cyclists, tourists and locals, and built a reputation for home cooking and in particular its date scones.

Eric Devos was known for his generosity, giving school children the opportunity to explore his French history through personal visits.

In 2017 Devos banned disposable takeaway coffee cups, setting up a “mug wall” where regulars could leave their own cups.

In a 2018 interview, he described the café in five words as “Home cooking, true, warm, unique, friendly.” 

The cafe survived two major Port Hills fires during his time in charge, escaping the 2017 blaze unscathed and closing for only a couple of days during the Valentine’s Day fire of February 2024.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be announced soon, the cafe said.