A well-loved Cardiff cafe has closed for good with plans for a dog-friendly spot to take its place. Kemi's in Pontcanna has long been a popular venue, and despite moving locations a few times, has been around in the capital for more than 20 years.
But Kemi Nevins, 60, who runs the business with her son Patrick Nevins, 31, said that it's time for them to move on. She said: "I started the first café in Mill Lane in 1999 until 2002, then Craft in the Bay until 2012, and Pontcanna since then.
"Patrick took over about eight years ago and it's gone really well. With Covid, we were able to adapt really quickly but in a way it was quite draining. We were constantly reinventing ourselves and re-designed how we worked, our menus and so on."
Running the business may have started to take its toll but it was an exciting new opportunity for Patrick that prompted the decision to sell. He's going to study a diploma in food and wine at Leiths, the award-winning cookery school in London founded by Prue Leith.
Kemi said: "Initially I thought I'd carry the café on but it was like, actually, I've got two fake knees, my joints are wearing away, and Covid has worn me out. We made the decision to move the business on to somebody else."
But she said running the business with her son was been good - although she added: "I think we're definitely ready to have a break from each other! I think the last few months have been quite testing - it does change the dynamics, the whole Covid thing."
The café closed its doors on Sunday, September 18 and will stay shut until mid-October. When it reopens, the new owners, Jon and Vicky Griffin, will be continuing with the same favourites from the menu and keep the same team of staff including chef Ollie and manager Jen - but the café will have a new twist.
Under the new ownership, the café will be called Fido. Even though it was a dog-friendly spot as Kemi's, the rebrand will see dog treats added to the menu and dog accessories put on sale.
Vicky said: "Jon and I know Pontcanna really well as we’ve worked in the area for years and also used to live here. We are looking forward to seeing all the regulars back in, and hopefully with some new customers too. “Kemi's is already known for being dog-friendly but we’ll be building on this with a wide range of exciting dog treats and accessories."
The sale presents a massive opportunity for Patrick in his new venture. Kemi said: "He's got so many different options, where he can go into private cheffing, food development, and if he wants to start a business again he's got all the skills. It's a fantastic school and it's a chance to not be managing a business and to be back in hands-on food production, learning techniques and honing skills, then seeing what direction he wants to go in."
And for Kemi herself, there may be a chance for a third career change, after training as a nurse in the 1980s, then becoming a teacher, and going into the café business in the late 90s. This time, she's got her eye on a media career.
She said: "I'm still keeping my options open. I've done a few bits of work on the radio and TV, and I'm hoping to get a bit more media and TV production work, that would be good. I've gathered so much knowledge and so many skills from the careers I've done.
"From nursing I learned patience and how to work with medics and families and relatives in difficult situations. That all helped me when I was in the classroom, and that's helped me run a business.
"I've not regretted anything and I've got one more career hop in me! Now I'm 60 this could be my last jump now - we live until we're 100 now, so maybe I could fit a few more in! It's in the knees."
Kemi is confident in the café's future, with Vicky having previously owned The Learning Tree and Goji Hair in the area. She said: "They're gonna take on the staff, who know the recipes - not that any of them are secret! There'll be a continuation, and they'll put their own personality and what they desire into it."
She also added a final message: "We'd like to thank our customers over the years. I started in Mill Lane 20-odd years ago and I still have some of the same customers.
"We've catered for people's families and work events over the years, and did home deliveries during Covid. Whatever we’ve done the customers have been amazing.
The support for small, local businesses, with how hard it is in hospitality, can't be underestimated. A big thanks to everybody, really - and all the fantastic staff we've had over the years."
READ NEXT:
