New Saints bay kiosk opens today

Friday 30 March 2018

OJ's, the new kiosk at Saints Bay is opening for the summer season today, now the lease has been taken on by two old friends who are setting up in business together.

Jill Chadwick and June Granville intend to keep to traditional values of homemade cakes and sandwiches, and say they are offering a tranquil refreshment spot that they want to ensure is "worth the walk" for both locals and tourists throughout the season.

The two friends had lost touch over the years, but rekindled their friendship around four years ago as their mothers lived close by. Sadly, both their mothers; Olive and Joyce have since passed, but their friendship remains and now the cafe, bearing their two mothers initials, is a result of that bond.

Ms Chadwick said: "We were at a mindfulness seminar together and I mentioned I had heard about the lease for Saints kiosk coming up. We were both keen to do something really local and community focussed so we then went about contacting St Martins Parish. I have spent most of my life in the corporate world so am excited to be doing something completely different."

Pictured: Ms Chadwick at Saints Bay kiosk

The kiosk will be opening for the first time today for Easter and will then be open every day from 11:00 until the end of the season. Ms Chadwick said: "We may open earlier some days as there are a hardy group of swimmers who take to the water each morning and may be pleased of some refreshments afterwards!"

"Our main aim is to keep to the traditional values of home cooked cakes, toasted sandwiches, hot dogs, tea and coffee. We have had lots of help from our families and friends and have had a unique picnic basket made for us. I am hoping that we can get more made and will be able to make picnics in them for beachgoers in the summer."

 Pictured: Seating area

Pictured: The kiosk front

The kiosk decor has been designed to look coastal in keeping with the surroundings, however modern touches have been thought of and WiFi will be available. Ms Chadwick hopes to cater for everyone in the community including dogs: "We have so many furry friends walk past here that we will be really dog friendly. I want this place to be a community hub, so if someone wishes to have a coffee and read their book for an hour or another wishes to use the WiFi to catch up on work emails then that is fine by me."

Ms Chadwick hopes that themed events and other locally run things will take place: "I have lots of ideas for music nights, yoga on the beach and am hoping to organise a book club and a charity cake sale. Our slogan is that this place is "worth the walk" and so we aim to make it worth while for people to come down." 

Pictured main image: Saints bay kiosk with bay in background