Shelf portrait: Old Bakery

5THE TOP SHELF PORTRAIT

THE SHOP’S CURRENT BESTSELLING HOUSEWARES:

l Victorinox Rex Peeler from Burton McCall l Zyliss Ultimate Non-Stick Frying Pan from DKB l Wüsthof Classic Knives from Haus l La Cafetière Trieste from Lifetime Brands Europe l Microplane Graters from Burton McCall

Inset: Zyliss Ultimate Non-Stick Frying Pan.

BACK IN THE 90s

“We have always loved to cook, but my husband and I couldn’t get the equipment we wanted easily round here. The local cookshop closed, and being from a retail background ourselves, we decided to open a new one. Off I went to Spring Fair at the NEC to open up my first accounts.”

GOING SOLO

Anita’s husband helps with admin and stands in during trade shows, while their grownup children occasionally help to cover a Saturday off, but, in general, the shopfloor is Anita’s sole domain.

OLD BAKERY COOKSHOP

Anita Gordon has been running the Old Bakery Cookshop in Aberystwyth for 26 years and has created a hub for people who love cooking and sharing their culinary endeavours. PH finds out how it all started, and how trade has been since reopening.

Below: A view of Aberystwyth from Visit Mid Wales.

Facts and stats

l Established in Aberystwyth in 1995, Old Bakery Cookshop is small but well stocked. l It is around 40 square feet, filled with around 2,000 SKUs. l Facebook and word of mouth are the shop’s best means of promotion, according to owner Anita.

THE BEST THING

“The best thing about the shop is my customers – they are so lovely. I like the interaction with people: talking about food and what we are all cooking. The benefits of quality equipment are obvious to me because I like to cook so much. I enjoy guiding people along my route, so they realise they need it too.”

LOYAL FOLLOWING

“Customers are mainly locals. Holidaymakers like to come in and browse, but don’t usually spend much, although I have some regular caravaners that stock up here,” explains Anita. “Some people from London

ON THE WAY UP

“Knives – people realised how naff their knives were during lockdowns and have come in to treat themselves. I make sure that customers hold a knife and rock it on the counter. It must feel right, or I say don’t buy it.”

UPS AND DOWNS

“Usually I sell loads of bakeware, but sales have gone down because I can’t get the stock. Currently, the biggest challenge is getting the stock I want.”

Inset: Knives – including Wüsthof Classic – are a popular choice.

come in when visiting family here. They buy things from me saying they can’t get them at home, which amuses me because this is such a small shop.”

TOP OF THE TILLS

The best recent customer was a woman who had just moved and was buying things for her new kitchen, including Le Creuset saucepans, other Le Creuset bits, and a Wüsthof carving knife and fork set.

Looking forward

As restrictions ease in the UK, Anita says she can’t wait “to come up to London for Exclusively – my favourite show of the year.”