Boslowick's newest shop The Crafty Bean is open for business after the coronavirus epidemic delayed the opening way back in March.

The Crafty Bean is a new takeaway deli/cafe supporting local suppliers and displaying work from local artists.

The shop is staffed by the artists with no commission which keeps prices lower and the full purchase price of the artwork goes directly to them.

Owners David and Harriett were due to open at the end of March but made the decision not to open after seeing that a national lockdown was on the horizon.

"You don't want to open a business and then fall flat on your face with the costs of setting it all up we figured we would just not open it," Harriett told Nub News.

The Crafty Bean was preparing a big launch event with suppliers and samples for people to try - but covid also halted that.

Running the cafe at Glendurgan Gardens, that closed when lockdown hit. The pair needed another source of income so they set up a click and collect service, offering essential items to the community.

Harriett continued:

"There was a massive need for click and collect because the supermarkets were so busy, we ordered in fruit and veg, Rodda's dairy, Baker Toms bread and then we started introducing other products.

"Because our customers felt really safe we had a really good takeup on it and our customers are still supportive of us now.

"We still do the box collection scheme, we have three customers who regularly contact us with a shopping list we don't make much from it but it feels like it is a service for people who need it and I am a strong believer in what goes around comes around.

"We had been open for about two weeks and I said to David about turning on the coffee machine."

It has grown from there, instead of opening when given the go-ahead by the government they stayed at the door for another three weeks before moving back behind the counter. Then they started bringing the artists through.

Speaking of the vision on the shop, Harriett said:

"The thoughts are to expand the shop and turn the back into a workshop space, the idea is to bring more people in, get more people together and get people networking.

"We will just wait and see what the need is for and what the community want the space to be."

The pair are also hoping to have bar stalls put into the shop so people can sit and enjoy a coffee whilst looking at the art - instead of just being primarily a takeaway, all covid dependant.

How does Harriett describe the place in three words?

"Friendly, fun and supportive," she added.

The shop is now fully operational open Monday-Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm offering homemade cakes, coffee, smoothies, milkshakes and hot chocolates.

The deli stocks Roskillys ice cream, there is a Rodda's milk refill station, Cornish cheeses, a variety of crackers and chutneys and more.

They also provide environmentally friendly refills for household cleaning products.

The Crafty Bean will also be hosting late-night shopping event this Friday staying open until 8:30pm.

Click here to see more from The Crafty Bean.

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