Melissa Davey, co-owner of Grey’s Coffee Bistro Lounge, passed away suddenly on Monday 2nd May, with the shock news sending the shop into mourning.

Her business partner Sally Jones, posted a tribute to her close friend on the shop’s Facebook page, where a number of people have also paid tribute to Melissa. It read:

“It is with great sadness that I need to share with you that early on Monday morning my dear dear friend and business partner Melissa sadly passed away unexpectedly. She was our rock and a great inspiration to everyone who worked at Greys as well as being a wonderful friend and a fantastic mum to her three beautiful children.

“Words cannot describe how much this has shocked and saddened us all and how much we will miss her …she was loved very much by me and everyone in her world. Greys was her dream and she was so proud of what we had achieved to date so far; she worked endlessly to make it the success it is today.

“For her and her family I will endeavour to continue to make our small business the success and fulfil the vision that Melissa had for Greys Coffee Bistro Lounge and continue to make her proud.”

Speaking to the Stourbridge News, Sally – who reopened Grey’s on Saturday – said she has been “overwhelmed” with the support she has received from the local community.

“We have been sent cards and flowers and the comments people have left on our Facebook page have been so nice. People are so upset and devastated by Melissa’s death and it just shows, even though the shop hasn’t been open a long time, she has had a massive impact on the customers

“She’s the kind of person that if you met you wouldn’t forget her. She always put a smile on people’s faces.”

The pair opened the coffee shop on August 22 last year and despite being in a very competitive area, business has been booming.

Sally added: “Melissa always wanted to run her own coffee shop – it was her dream.

"It was great that we were able to make her dreams true and she loved every minute of working here. It is just such a shame that her dream came to an end so soon.”

The coffee shop has reduced its hours and will now be open between 10am and 4pm between Tuesday and Saturday. Melissa’s funeral arrangements will be announced in the next couple of days.