Pandemic gave time to brew new business plan for Dingwall High Street; Heartworn Coffee Shop and Antisocial Baker launch in county town with vegan treats and speciality coffee
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TIME to mull the future during the coronavirus lockdown gave a new business partnership the opportunity to serve up a treat on Dingwall's High Street.
The town yesterday welcomed a new artisan bakery and coffee shop to the High Street.
Owners of the Antisocial Baker and Heartworn Coffee Shop say it was an opportunity presented to them due to the pandemic that nudged them to get into business.
Ruth Cole (25) and Jordan Milliken (31) opened yesterday with special vegan bakes and speciality coffees for those looking for something a bit different.
Ms Cole, who was previously the baker at Inverness' Alleycat cafe, and business partner Mr Milliken, an expert in speciality coffee, said they were looking forward to a new challenge.
Ms Cole, known as the Antisocial Baker, said: "During the lockdown I had a lot of time to think. I have been the baker at the Alleycat in Inverness and of course like many others we have been in lockdown for 10 months. It made me re-evaluate my time and what I do, and of course I have been baking the whole time so it gave me the opportunity to think about opening up somewhere myself."
Ms Cole explained that her good friend Mr Milliken was keen to open up a speciality coffee shop, so the pair got together to look at sharing premises in Dingwall.
She said: "We were friends and wanted to do something to promote both of the products we are passionate about."
Ms Cole is a vegan baker who is known for her bread, gluten free bread, celebration cakes and of course her pastries such as croissants and savoury muffins.
Mr Milliken is a Canadian who moved to Scotland three years ago when his partner took a job as a lawyer in the Highland capital.
He said: "When I moved to Scotland I knew it was time for a change. When we saw the shop we knew it was something that we wanted to do."
Explaining that he has been in the speciality coffee industry for the last seven years, he learned about the local roaster based in Cromarty, the Vandyke Brothers Coffee Limited, and he decided to sell its brand.
He continued: "People can expect the best coffee, and as a latte artist I think people will really enjoy what we do."
The shop will be open for sit in and take away from 7am each morning until late afternoon every Monday to Saturday depending on demand.
Mr Milliken later posted: "Thank you from the bottom of my Heartworn heart. Y’all made this an amazing first day. Love to all."
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