2021 sees us re inventing our business to fit in with government guidelines from our original bar into an off licence. However this isnt any old off licence! We have been busy sourcing lots of craft beers from brewers such as Deya, Neonraptor and Brew York. Local bottled ales from Fownes, Salopian and Enville. Along side these sits ciders, belgian beers and a wide range of stouts. The transformation has been hard work and lots of help from friends and family, but utterly rewarding when all the stock is in place.
This leaves me feeling emotional, saying goodbye to our cafe that had to close last year and seeing the small bar area now filled with pretty cans instead of people happily swilling beer and recounting their day to anyone that would listen. Yes its wonderful we have a new larger room for our bar when we can re open but this space is so very dear to me. It is here that friends were made, coffee drank whilst chewing the fat, relationship advice given, hearts broken, plans for the future created, it was never just a business, it is my life.
Yesterday saw the first day of trading as an off licence. We had an actual queue! Customers old and new popped in to support us and either pick up a cheeky bottle for that night or a haul to last them a few weeks. As you can imagine we are utterly delighted with our first day.
Today is all about reflecting and thinking of ways to improve our new arm to the business. So without haste I’m researching again to bring in new craft beers from far and wide to keep this new thing fresh and interesting.