The Coffee Cabin

Fair Oak sisters Kerry and Jen had been looking for a business premises for around 18 months when their mum spotted that a space on Bishopstoke Road (the former Hog Shack) was vacant. Just a few weeks later, they were up and running as The Coffee Cabin, offering made-to-order fresh breakfast, brunch and lunch options - and sweet treats - from Wednesday to Sunday, 8am until 3pm.

Kerry explained: “We both worked together at a premises in Twyford and have a background in hospitality. Jen went travelling for a bit but we always knew that we wanted to run a business together. Genuinely we love it as we are very close and it’s a good fit - Jen works full-time and I work part-time, also sorting the back office bits.    

“We didn’t have to do much when we moved in so we just added our own touches to the space. We have a bookswap in a bookcase and customers are welcome to borrow one to read while they’re here or take it home. We also welcome dogs; we’re massive dog fans!

“Jen is coeliac so it was always very important to her that we catered for dietary requirements. Our gluten-free and vegan cakes arrive on Thursdays and we can adapt our menu easily as we make things fresh to order – we have a great chef working with us.

“Business is different every day and January is always a tricky month but it has been going really well. Everyone has been amazing and so supportive on our social media channels. We feel it’s very important to support other small businesses so our baked goods such as the cookie pies are from local suppliers. I won some brownies on a competition which were so amazing that we now order them in for our own customers.”