Shop Jollof opened February 23 in Frogmoor. The owner, Mamalyn Opara, wanted easier access to African food.
The shop is in Frogmoor, right next to the Air Raid Shelter location. Quirks Hair Salon used to be there, but they closed December 31, 2024.
Mamalyn Opara launched the business. She spoke to the Free Press about the difficulty of finding African food in the area after moving to High Wycombe in 2023.
She had to travel to Peckham, Aylesbury, and Slough to get the food she wanted. Slough is where she had previously lived. This made her think High Wycombe needed an African food shop, and she decided to open one there.
The shop is new and already has a good reputation. People seem to like it so far.
Soon, the store plans to sell cooked Jollof for anyone visiting the shop. Jollof is a West African rice dish made with tomatoes, onions, and spices, often with meat, chicken, or fish.
Mamalyn felt it was the perfect time to open a shop after moving from Slough. She believed others felt the same way, and this idea grew into reality.
People seem quite happy with the new shop, and the opening day was very nice. Mamalyn is enjoying the experience.
The customers have been very friendly and seem happy about the new shop. It is still early, but things look positive, and people are spreading the word in the hope of getting more customers soon. Mamalyn knew the location was right at once.