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Our Neighbourhood
The third wave of coffee has definitely arrived in the UK, and it is glorious.
People are expecting a higher calibre of cuppa, and the market is responding accordingly.
Working with our wholesale clients and helping new entrepreneurs up their coffee game, I have had the chance to meet the most wonderful, passionate and inquisitive coffee enthusiasts. And there’s been one thing I’ve noticed of late: the very welcome influx of women as owners and managers of exciting new venues.
During my own personal coffee journey, working in all sorts of different venues, I have worked with a great number of fantastic and inspirational female baristas. Though rarely have they been in the position of higher management or ownership. This seems to be changing.
We value all of our brilliant community and the push towards coffee excellence on all fronts, but I would like to just take the opportunity to celebrate (in the words of Destiny’s Child) ‘All the mommas who profit dollas’, and the rise of the female coffee shop owner.
Originally known for the cafe Moon and Pea, Sian has been a strong part of Liverpool’s Lark Lane’s bohemian community for the best part of a decade. After Moon and Pea’s journey came to an end there was still no stopping this doyenne from continuing to add to this lovely part of our city.
Pippin’s Corner flourishes in the same space once occupied by Moon and Pea, but has undergone a complete transformation, with a completely new look, feel and fresh start. Sian has taken the lessons from her previous venture and set out with a clear vision for her latest project. Laughing, she modestly tells me that now she “Actually had a fraction of a clue” when starting out and recalled the challenges she faced the first-time opening a new venue.
The stresses of dealing with tradesmen and knowing in what order tasks need to be dealt with, is something she tells me she “Really enjoyed …this time round.”
Sian got an early start in hospitality. Her family owned hotels in Llandudno and Sian would often be found helping out in the kitchen and other areas, making sure she gained experience in every department.
Her affinity with people is proven by the fact that many of her regular Moon and Pea customers have returned and are now continuing to support Sian in Pippin’s Corner. A fact that humbles Sian immensely.
Pip to the post
It is no wonder that Pippin’s customers are so loyal, Sian’s obvious joy at knowing that someone has enjoyed their experience leaves you unable to respond in any other way than reciprocated smiles and positivity: “The ‘Ooohing’ when you deliver an order to the table just makes your day!” This feeling obviously also translates to the people working for her, and Sian celebrates their enthusiasm, receiving lovely messages from her customers..
As we were talking, Sian paused to help someone who was looking for an address and offered names and directions to other venues on the Lane. She told me of the great sense of community shared by local business owners is something which Sian wants to further still with initiatives such as a trader’s association.
She has clear respect for her peers, calling Keith (of long-standing wine bar Keith’s) the ‘Yoda’ of Lark Lane’. If this is the case, then I would venture that Sian is a clear matriarch in this little community. Not only an established presence, but a current and contemporary businesswoman with enough savvy to notice the change in the way people spend money when socialising, but also possessing the integrity to not be swept up in trends that may not last.
In her words, her aim is for Pippin’s to be a mainstay in the area. Her vision, however, is anything but limited. Keep an eye on the movements of this awesome lady, for it doesn’t stop here. There is more to come…
Favourite coffee? A latte (but it has to be made by her…)
Favourite Destiny’s Child song? “I’m more of a prodigy girl, really…”
A Small Fish in a Big Pond (a name of which I am very fond) has already found its way into the hearts of many of the people surrounding it on Liverpool’s historic Water street. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Cheryl was a trainer for young people, helping them to gain confidence and get in to employment. She tells me that one of her goals during this time was to nurture a creative space in which these young people could develop. This is something that she wanted to bring to the table when setting up Small Fish.
In her previous role, Cheryl did a lot of her work from local coffee shops. “That’s where I was at my most creative” somewhere with background noise and life happening, she explains. And this definitely fed in to her desire to create a similar space herself.
Cheryl’s love of coffee was initially sparked during time spent in Portugal where she once worked as well as on her numerous trips to Italy. It wasn’t just the tasty brew she was enchanted by, but the culture surrounding it: that quintessentially Italian scene of espresso-sipping outside a cafe, watching the world go by.
Another of Cheryl’s objectives was to help change perceptions of what coffee can be; to help make specialty coffee more accessible to those who might have been intimidated in another setting. She wanted to take away some of the snobbery that often surrounds coffee culture.
Building a new coffee culture
A Small Fish in a Big Pond has the added allure of being situated in a building steeped in history and cultural importance. It forms a part of a group of buildings designed by the renowned architect, Peter Ellis. The stunning setting is a great talking point between Cheryl and her customers. (One local resident actually gifted Cheryl a book about Ellis while I was visiting!)
The only downside is that as a listed building it is not possible to attach signage to the exterior, so it can be easy to walk by. Also, with its relatively ‘cosy’ size, there is not a lot of room for storage or food prep. Rather than see this as a disadvantage, Cheryl has chosen to see this as an opportunity and uses it to support other local traders by out-sourcing her sandwiches, salads and cakes to other nearby businesses. Cheryl tells me that she has been welcomed by, a community in Water street that (she) never expected in a city Centre.
Favourite Coffee? Cortado
Favourite Destiny’s Child song? Independent Women.
Nestled in picturesque Caernarfon, Wales, Deborah opened Bonta Deli in March 2018 with the aim of ‘Bringing a new type of retail experience to the town”
Having grown up in a pub setting, Debs is no stranger to the world of hospitality and great customer service, but tells me that she has long dreamed of opening her own deli. A dream she is now proud to have successfully made reality!
Debs tells me that she is continually (though pleasantly) surprised with the amount of glowing feedback and support she has received since starting. This is clearly reflected by the regulars she has accumulated from surrounding businesses who continually tell her that they have stopped frequenting the big coffee chains in favour of her beautifully made espresso. She tells me that once she was even stopped in a supermarket by someone that had been in for lunch to be told that one of her sandwiches was the “Best they’d ever had!”
Debs developed her love of coffee whilst travelling Italy, so it is no surprise that she’s so meticulous when it comes to a good brew. She tells me she is dedicated to bringing her clientele great quality coffee at a fair price.
Proving that she is a woman of vision, Debs continues to tell me that her biggest challenge whilst setting up Bonta Deli is the lack of time to take a step back and think about how she wants to develop her venue further! Watch out Caernarfon, this lady has plans!
Favourite Coffee: Specialty espresso (woman after my own heart…)
Favourite Destiny’s Child song: Survivor
Bonta Deli | 18 Palace Street, Caernarfon, LL55 1RR
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the amazing women that have taken the time to talk with me and share their experiences.
Let’s raise a cup to these people that are representing the Survivor spirit and rise of the female entrepreneur. These are just a handful of the amazing people opening all manner of wonderful venues in our beautiful city and beyond, let’s celebrate them all by supporting your local independents!
Throw ya hands up at me!
