Oscar’s is planning to open in the evening during the summer months, offering wine, beer and food.
“We want to try a few things … opening in the evening on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to begin with,” says Alina, the owner.
“I’m also interested in trying tastings – wine and beer – and I like the idea of doing some coffee classes.” The Oscar’s team are also thinking about BBQ events, live music and a more indulgent weekend brunch.
Alina took over Oscar’s in January, refurbished the premises completely and is now coming up to completing her first six months on the high street.
She is reluctant to describe the cafe as “a little bit of Shoreditch in Ladywell” but says she does want to create a modern but warm neighbourhood feel to the cafe.
“I want good quality – but without the attitude,” she says.
Alina trained as a graphic designer in Berlin but has spent most of her working life in the hospitality industry.
She worked in cafes and restaurants in Berlin but then came to London to help her grandmother who was ill at the time.
In London she was employed in a top Japanese restaurant, worked as a front of house manager, spent a lot of time in kitchens and then worked as a freelance barrista.
“My aim was always to set up my own business … but I had to do the research.”
She lives in Brockley and heard Oscar’s might be up for sale so contacted the previous owner Saner.
It worked out. “I wanted something that was sustainable, something local that would fit in with my lifestyle.”
Alina is keen to make Oscar’s part of the community – a third space, she calls it, not home, not work, but a place where people feel comfortable during the day and in the evening.
People have urged previous Oscar’s owners to open in the evening as a wine bar offering snacks.
Ladywell-Live wishes Oscar’s well in its new ventures and is already looking forward to that evening glass of white wine.