Bekir will beathe a sigh of relief when he finally opens Sundae, his cafe-cum-ice cream parlour on Brockley Road. It’s been a long haul.
He first took over the old Turners hardware store two years ago. But the renovation of the building proved tricky.
“We discovered there had been a fire in the building a long time ago and we had to replace old charred timber beams.
“Then applying for planning permission was also hard. At times it has all been a bit of nightmare.”
“But now we are ready to open,” he smiles.
Sundae will open at 309 Brockley Road on Friday November 22, offering coffee, pastries, savouries, waffles, crepes, cakes and premium ice cream from Hackney Gelato. “We can also do 29 different chocolate milk shakes,” he laughs.
“I hope to offer something for everybody … so we will have vegan ice cream … and gluten free cakes”
Bekir’s parents have both run local businesses for decades. His father still runs an ice cream business. “He’s been doing it for more than 30 years.”
“I helped him. Now people recognise me from his van. He will now help me through the winter!”
“It will be a bit of family business. My sister will help out too – I hope”
His mother has run Barbaros Hair Salon in Honor Oak for 30 years. It was her connection to the owners of Turners hardware store that gave Bekir the chance to buy the shop.
Bekir will be selling coffee and teas backed by the Rain Forest Alliance and he stresses that takeaway cups and cartons will be from Vegware which provides compostable packaging.
He says he has tried “to keep prices reasonable – breakfast teas will be available for a £1.00, and cappuccinos for £2.20. Milkshakes will be £3.50. “
“We’ll have to see how it goes.” The cafe will seat up to 36 people.
Ladywell Live hopes all goes well and that Sundae will soon prove to be another successful local business.
Sundae will be open on Friday from 8. 00 until 11.00pm; 8.00am-11.00pm on Saturdays; 10.00am- 9.00pm on Sundays and 8.00am until 9.00pm during the rest of the week.