Mother and daughter team launch the Cosy Cafe in Harleston
A mother and daughter have taken over a town cafe, fulfilling a long-held ambition.
Michelle and Rhiannon Jaye have taken over the former Harleston Tearooms, in Bullock Fair Close.
The pair, who have renamed the business as Cosy Cafe, decided to take the leap into business late last year.
Rhiannon said: “Mum and I had been looking for a suitable venture for ages,” she said.
“I have been off on maternity leave with my little girl, so I thought there was no better time to look at finding something together.
“Then I happened to see that Harleston Tearooms was on the market. Mum and I went in October, half expecting that it would already be sold. Thankfully, it was still available, so we jumped at the chance to take it on.”
The pair were eventually given the keys in January, and have been hard at work ever since.
“It has taken a long time,” said the 25-year-old from Fressingfield. “We were going in every day, decorating and updating, then getting a new kitchen fitted.”
Rhiannon has always worked in the catering industry, while mum Michelle, 50, from Metfield, was an accountant before swapping cash for cakes.
“Prior to Saturday’s opening, it was a little nerve-racking,” said Rhiannon. “But we were so ready to start this business and, deep down, knew it was going to be okay.”
The cafe, which opened on March 1, offers eat-in and takeaway options, with a menu including pastries, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, paninis, breakfast baguettes, sandwiches and baps.
“We want to appeal to everyone,” said Rhiannon. “We have got a kid’s table, a baby changing room in the toilets and are have vegan and gluten-free options where we can, so that everyone can come in and enjoy the Cosy Cafe.
“The support so far has been really positive. We want to thank everyone for their kind words as, when you come into something like this, you do not know how it is going to go. We’ve been made to feel really welcome.”
The Cosy Cafe is open from Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 4pm.
