Jasmine Pugh’s cafe in Tuckton receives Trader of the Week award after a successful opening and positive community response.
Jasmine said the cafe was packed and that she met many lovely people and dogs. Jasmine is happy about the business, and the cafe team is doing well.
She worked at Mocha Turtle before, a cafe at the same location where Jasmine was a chef. She bought the lease after working there for two years.
She built relationships with customers. Before that, she was a landlady and worked in pubs for fifteen years. Her son goes to university in Bournemouth.
Jasmine loves the contrast with pub work, as the cafe focuses on relaxation. It’s sweet, comfortable, warm, and welcoming; people can relax there without worry.
Jasmine wants people to stay as long as needed, even all day if they want. The goal is creating a close community where everyone knows each other, and it shouldn’t matter who is working.
Since opening, the cafe received many online reviews, appearing mainly on local Facebook groups. From Monday to Saturday, the cafe opens from 7am to 3pm.
Jasmine wants to open later gradually, taking it “one step at a time.” The store might open until 4pm or 4:30pm to help with school foot traffic. They are discussing a games club for evenings.
Jasmine said there is much to do. It is a lovely place with a lovely feel.