Welcome!

Welcome to my fwuffy paws journey! Its been around 8 years since i last wrote a blog but i have that much going on in my head i need to get some of it out on paper.. or on a computer whatever. This page is going to document my journey on opening Stratford upon avon's first cat cafe. Here is a little about me and my professional background.

My name is Rio Jade, i'm 27 years old and i live in Alcester which is a small market town located near Stratford Upon Avon. I studied Graphic Design at College and went on to accept my place at the University of East London in 2010 where i did a combined honours degree in Illustration and Graphic Design. After one year i decided Graphic Design wasn't for me as it was mostly computer based so i changed my course to Printmaking which was more practical and studio based. I graduated in 2013 with a 2:1 degree, a large portfolio of work and some very practical skills. 

After spending 3 years in London i found my living situation a little overwhelming and decided to move back home. It was in 2013 that we opened 'Orangemabel Alcester' Tearoom and eatary which was and still is a roaring success. Open 7 days a week Orangemabel is a place for parties, solo dining, family get togethers... pretty much whatever you want it to be. We have a full menu.. breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and the interior is decorated cute and vintage. I once heard a customer say 'its like being inside a dolls house' which is possibly my favourite description of the place.  

My family and myself put our heart and soul into this buisness and for the most part it really paid off, i mean he had the odd person that didn't get the concept 'why am i being served a drink in a jam jar' 'why doesn't my crockery match' I think it was a learning curve for everyone but eventually we found our place on the high street and we have been a success ever since. 

The whole menu is written and designed by me i do all the artwork aswell as manage my buisness its the only way i can make the menu truly the way it is in my head is to do everything myself.

In November 2017 we decided we needed to expand, after a couple of years looking at suitable premises we decided to open our 2nd Orangemabel on Union Street, Stratford Upon Avon. We found an old Italian cafe and decided to do it upon Mabel style.

BEFORE

AFTER

INSIDE

We were extremely proud, pleased and excited to open Orangemabel Stratford, thinking we knew our buisness inside out we were so thrilled to share what we had to offer... i unique, english, cute, independent Tearoom in the heart of a historical town (which is full of chains).

As soon as we opened up popped Pret a manager, coffee number one and various other chain. Not to mention a whole food course with Nandos, Ask italian, wine bars, a cinema. Did i mention Stratford has NOWHERE to park that wont set you back a tenner. 

We received an extremely frosty reception from the locals who seemed genuinely angry that we had redecorated and rebranded. We had comments such as 'we HATE the decor' 'these tablecloths are AWFUL'. While i try and tell myself to be mindful and not let other peoples comments get to me when you have poured your heart and soul into everything... are working 30 days in a row without a day off, your family have remortgaged their home you start to ask yourself why you are doing these things? 

While i was once really confident about my ideas and skills as a cook and baker it became increasingly difficult to motivate myself. At what point to do decide to walk away and say enough is enough?