Only Foods and Sauces vintage shop opening in Newton Aycliffe

A popular themed cafe has unveiled plans for a vintage collectible shop as an extension of its business in County Durham next month.

Rebekah Shaw, 43 and partner Andrew Poole, 46, of Newton Aycliffe are set to expand their Only Foods and Sauces business in the town as they plan to open a new vintage toy and collectible shop alongside it.

The pair have operated the cafe on Rembrandt Way for nine years, with help from their three sons, Matthew, Arran, Haydn, who will also chip in with this new venture.

Adding to this, the pair will also be receiving assistance from their 11-year-old twins who have been off school during half-term.

Last year, the businesses expanded into a large sit down cafe which will have the toy shop attached to it.

Speaking on the decision to open the retro shop, Ms Shaw said: "I've been with Andrew 28 years, and for the 28 years of knowing him, it's been his dream to open up an old vintage toy shop.

"Obviously, we sell new things as well as you've got to appeal to everyone.

"It's just what he's been wanting to do for years and years, and now with having the big cafe with extra space, the opportunity has arisen.

"A lot of his collection and his sons' collections, we're just seeing how it goes and selling things on.

"It's his dream, it's been his baby for 28 years."

The Northern Echo: Rebekah Shaw (L), Matthew Poole (C), Andrew Poole (R) Rebekah Shaw (L), Matthew Poole (C), Andrew Poole (R) (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

She said the pair were "excited, nervous, and can't wait" as the clocks ticks towards opening day.

She added while there is anxiety opening a new business, she is certain the same hard work which made their cafe a success will translate to their new side store.

She said the shop will sport old and new toys from frnachises such as Star Wars, The Walking Dead, ThunderCats, Dukes of Hazzard, Goonies, He-Man, Ghostbusters, and wrestling memorabilia and merchandise,

It also features cap guns, Coca Cola trinkets, Cabbage Patch Kids, Playmobil, Indiana Jones merchandise, Keypers, board games, and lots of Only Fools and Horses memorabilia.

She said while the business has yet to open, they are still selling through Facebook marketplace and have opened their store to those in special circumstances.

Ms Shaw said they had opened the store prematurely on Valentine's Day to help a lady who had spotted a specific item her husband had wanted for ages, in order to make their day.

Meanwhile, she said her sons all have day jobs, but assist the family business in their spare time managing social media, running the shop on Saturdays, pricing items, and answering customer queries.

"It's just all hands on deck, apart from my kids do not cook, I will not let them cook," Ms Shaw joked.

"The customers in the cafe now, we're letting them in and have a look, and they're amazed and over the moon with it.

The Northern Echo:

"You can shop while you have a bacon sandwich as well, and a cup of tea."

Speaking on the challenges of opening a new business in the midst of the cost of living crisis, she said it has ben "hard" but they remain confident in their decision to open the shop and are looking to "make a go of it."

She said the biggest trial faced by the family has been the long hours preparing for the shop's opening, but said the process has been fun and rewarding.

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