It was a quick-dash visit to Beverley, for necessary shopping before one of those hectic Saturdays of needing to be here, there and everywhere.
With about half an hour to spare, when items on the list got ticked off quicker than I’d anticipated, I decided to have a short breather in one of my favourite spots in the town for refreshment. When The Crafty Coffee Shop first opened in Walkergate, some years back, it presented the ideal (coffee) blend for me.
The name of the place had me at crafty and to have a decent coffee in the mix as well, what’s not to love? I took a chance on a table inside during the late morning – it was a bit on the cool side for sitting outdoors – and I spied a vacant table for two, plonked my bags down and went to order at the counter.
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The place was buzzing, with customers of all ages enjoying food and drink or waiting for their orders to be brought. More people started arriving and queuing behind me, while other hardier souls filled up the tables outside.
I fancied a cappuccino and a toasted teacake, hoping the Crafty hadn’t changed its supplier of the latter. It’s the one place in Beverley where the large teacakes have a markedly spicier flavour than others I’ve tried, and they are delicious when hot and spread with lashings of butter.
I wasn’t to be disappointed. A good and lava-hot cappuccino arrived first and the teacake wasn’t long after it, toasted to just the right depth of colour to my liking and with that lovely hit of warm spices.
Behind me was the opening to the “crafty” part of this venue, a link through to the very well-stocked craft shop that is tucked behind the café. Customers can walk from one to the other, to indulge their craft as well as their coffee wants.
Sitting in the café itself, there are crafts to look at – including fun knitted animal heads on the walls – and kits on the shelves to tempt the creative. The window of The Crafty Coffee Shop is also filled with sewing boxes, bumper balls of jumbo yarn and more, all designed to inspire.
The coffee shop has one particular cosy corner with a mocked-up fireplace and comfy club chairs where customers can relax with their drinks; the space is also used when a “craft and natter” session strikes up on a Tuesday or when classes are held. For example, a beginner’s crochet course – a block of four two-hour sessions held over four weeks – is due to launch on June 26, 2024.
If your inspiration comes more from the food, there is a glass counter full of cakes and a menu that includes paninis, soups and salads and kids’ meal deals. A more recent addition to the Crafty offering, opened since my last visit, is an adjoining ice cream parlour which sells hot and cold drinks, crepes, waffles and Mr Moo’s ices.