Putting your head above the parapet in time of conflict could be viewed as suicidal - but definitely necessary. This is a perfect metaphor for someone starting a business now. We are told the recession is over – or is it dipped? Double dipped? Dipping….maybe sagging a little? Either way, not a good climate for new businesses and yet it is an opportunity for the brave to start afresh and make the most of an emerging market. Maidstone is a town with a lot of promise and we have seen businesses popping up all over the place in the past year – one of these ventures is Pop’s Cafe, situated at 18 High Street, run by Aftab Rana.
The independent coffee shop is a cross between a 1930’s American diner and an art deco lounge, but my first impression of Pop’s Cafe is one of welcome. The huge glass fronted cafe is flooded with light and the atmosphere is airy. I was also taken a little by surprise because next to the home made cakes (which I am assured are truly home-made, not bought in ready cooked elsewhere) tea cakes and freshly made sandwiches were an array of cereals…this cafe does truly cater for every peckish person no matter what the time of day! The warm welcome from the staff was genuine and this is always important. Having been in the cafe three times now I have felt the same at every visit. For this visit I was meeting the owner, Aftab, to find out how this new cafe (opened in October 2013) came about and to delve into the mind of the man behind the business.