Shops / News
Chaya Veggies opens new shop
Chaya Veggies have opened a second location in Bristol.
On Monday, after years of success with their first store on Mina Street in St Werburgh’s, co-owners Tom Genge and Martin Ballu opened another Chaya Veggies store on St Michael’s Hill. The new store, between Saint’s Deli and Chris and Jo’s Kitchen, is in the former Mickey Beans, which before was Caffe Gusto.
Tom and Martin opened their St Werburgh’s greengrocers and florists in 2021, selling a variety of locally sourced fresh produce – from fruit and vegetables to spices and homemade lunch options.
The new store on St Michael’s Hill will now bring Bristol’s fresh essential needs to the centre of the city.
On the new opening, Tom said: “We love what we do and we love this area. We feel like people can do a good service to the people here, serving home cooked meals and foods.”
Chaya Veggies prioritises locally and ethically sourced ingredients. As Tom says: “Everything that can be local is local, to support small businesses in Bristol.”
The shop serves up coffee from Radical Roasters, bread from Bristol Loaf and pastries from Forest Bakery.
Lunch options are made fresh daily, including ramen, curries and salad boxes that change day to day.
Opening a greengrocers was not always the plan for the pair.
Before launching Chaya Veggies, Martin was an engineer.
However, on a drunken evening just before the Covid pandemic, Tom and Martin decided to give opening up a store a go.
They started planning the first store in Martin’s workshop and, with support from the local community, it soon became a success in the neighbourhood.
Main photo: Holly Lambert
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