When one door closes, another opens – a quote that currently resonates with 21-year-old Chloe Lawson of Alford’s Chloe’s Kitchen Creations.
This is because the entrepreneur, who is well-known in the north-east for her evolving cake-making business, has shut the firm’s flagship location on Main Street in Alford.
It was launched in May 2019 when Chloe was just 17.
But locals and those passing the town, don’t fret, for you will now be able to get your Chloe’s Kitchen Creations fix at a new premises on the ground floor of the Victoria Buildings on Donside Road.
The new venue, boasting a capacity of 50, will allow for sit-in customers while the old location was takeaway only.
The sweet smell of expansion
Chloe, who resides in Alford, first went to look at the property last year and the planning permission was passed in February 2022.
“Following the success of our takeaway, I knew I needed to find a bigger space and when I was asked about the potential to open a cafe there I thought ‘why not?’, says the business owner.
“It’s on my doorstep. I went to have a look around and the ideas just came to my head straight away as to what we could do with the space.”
The new cafe currently has six full-time members of staff and 10 part-time members.
It will be open daily from 8am for takeaway orders and from 9am to 4pm for sit-in customers.
The soft opening was held on Sunday and the official opening was on Monday, during which cakes and coffee were available. The lunch menu will launch in the near future.
More about the cafe
Chloe went on to say: “We didn’t want to rush things as we had a busy season in Braemar, so we just took it a couple of steps at a time.
“We have so many ideas for the space I don’t think we will ever stop decorating. We have established a brand throughout the north-east and didn’t want to lose it in our new cafe.”
The interior combines a modern and contemporary look with a welcoming and comfortable feel.
There is a children’s area, charging points, books, and a deli area where customers can stock up on items by local producers – Unravel Tea, Roaring Stag Coffee Roasters, From Bakery Lane, and The Bread Guy included.
“One of the main reasons I took on this space was how much potential it had for us all to be able to work in one space, therefore we have a dedicated baking room now,” Chloe added.
“On average we make up to 700 individual traybakes a week but this larger space will allow us to grow that number.
“I also look forward to getting back to my original passion of making celebration cakes.”
Chloe’s Kitchen Creations is now in the process of developing an online ordering system to make takeaway orders more convenient, as well.
Out with the old, in with the new
Speaking on the former premises, the talented baker admitted her team “is sad to see it close”.
“But we’re extremely excited about the new opportunities this new cafe will bring.
“It’s been long awaited and I am super excited to welcome our customers new and old. Everyone has put in a lot of hard work to make this plan a reality and we hope everyone loves what we have done with the space and enjoys what we have to offer.
“This new space allows for community groups to gather, special events to take place and local businesses to work from. We really want to be a cafe that everyone can use and enjoy.”
A look inside…
Conversation