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Young owner ecstatic to celebrate cafe’s first birthday
Hannah ‘Edgie’ Egerton was in university when she first started selling baked goodies at pop-up stalls across the region.
In August 2024, Egerton opened a site in Westbury Park where she continued baking and hosting frequent pop-ups. While the ‘cafe’ was not formally open to the public, the baking never stopped at Edgie Eats.
Egerton was thrilled, when she finally opened her cafe full-time towards the end of March 2024 after what she said had been a “bumpy ride”.
is needed now More than ever
A year later, the cafe located just a stone’s throw away from the Downs was quick to become a hotspot for Westbury Park residents.
Opening the windowed door, and entering the sunlit, partially seated front room, a smiling face and the smell of home-baked cakes, sandwiches, coffees and teas compels customers to order.
Hannah relies on word of mouth in order to grow organically and sustainably
Peppering the shelves, birthday cards from customers acknowledge the role Edgie Eats plays in their lives and community.
A short corridor decorated with artwork from local artists finishes by transitioning into a garden fit for 16, perfect for sunny mornings.
An art filled corridor leads to a petit garden
What began as Egerton baking for her university’s hockey team soon evolved into the creation of an Instagram account for those curious about her brilliant recipes during the pandemic.
Armed with no previous experience, one day she woke up and decided to try to turn her project into a successful business. This landmark is celebrating just that.
Hannah relied on grants from Bristol city council to start up
Despite this, Hannah is certain not enough people know about her business. “People know Clifton, Bedminster and the city centre, but when I say Westbury Park, people are like “Where?” and I’m like “Right by the Downs!” It’s taken a while to get the knowledge out there that we are here”.
Nonetheless, she loves the community she has become a part of. “It’s the perfect spot for us. Everyone here is like family, our regulars are fantastic. We’re a very intimate space so you get to chat to everyone”.
Running and fitness groups from The Downs frequently pop in weekly, using the outdoor garden area as a place to rest after activities. They also played a huge role in the celebrations on Monday.
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Beyond this, Edgie Eats also supplies goods to 16 other independent cafes, as well as to four major universities in the region.
The hope is that these efforts, frequent food festival and market appearances will help contribute to the organic growth Hannah needs in order to achieve her goal of two further cafes in the area before she turns 30.
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Main Photo: Hannah Egerton
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