Despite overcoming the challenges of opening FIKA Dundee during the pandemic, owner Charlotte Kay has decided to step away from the hospitality industry.
After launching the café in October 2020, Charlotte found out she was pregnant with her first child in November.
Her decision to close the venue eventually arose after months of ill health after catching coronavirus twice.
She has also experienced the pressures of juggling her business and motherhood and feels stepping away is the best thing for her family and her health.
The venue officially closed at the end of May and is currently on the market for £15,000, with Charlotte currently looking for a new owner to fill the space she is leaving behind.
The 34-year-old was deeply saddened by the decision, describing the café as her “first baby” but has decided to prioritise herself as to grow the business needs consistency and this is something she said she can no longer give Fika Dundee.
“I’ve had covid twice in the past couple months and my health has deteriorated,” she said.
“Priorities change. My number one priority is now my baby and second is my health.”
Inside the venue
Available for lease hold, Charlotte invested £15k into the Perth Road venue and the three staff who were employed at FIKA Dundee have moved onto pastures new.
One was in the process of finishing up for university, another was relocating and the other had secured employment elsewhere, so Charlotte felt it was the best time to close for all involved.
She has had a few enquiries for the business but is yet to find someone to take on the tenancy.
The café seats 12 and contains a counterspace with a prep kitchen behind it.
A coffee machine, coffee grinder and smoothie maker are included in the sale and the venue also has a small oven for in-house baking and extractor for cooking hot food.
High quality
Prior to closing their doors FIKA Dundee offered a mixture of soups and sandwiches, and made daily bakes to serve alongside their coffee and smoothies.
Charlotte was focused on boasting only high quality food and drink within the venue, with their premium blend of coffee coming from The Bean Shop in Perth.
She also took a healthier approach to their food menu and ensured the sandwiches selection and the other dishes they offered boasted vegan options to suit all lifestyle choices.
Additionally all the bakes offered had gluten-free and vegan alternatives and the café charged the same prices for plant milk and any other dietary requirements.
Charlotte believed no one should be penalised for their lifestyle or dietary requirements and was sure not to charge extra for such items.
She said: “I wanted to help people out, that is what FIKA was all about.”
Future plans
For Charlotte, this is not the end of her hospitality career. She will use the time to focus on her health, rebuild her strength and be present for her family.
She said: “My plan for the immediate future is to rest, get better, and if there is something wrong to figure that out and get it fixed.
“I would definitely like to have a venue in the future, but right now I just need to focus on getting better.”
She posted on Facebook that FIKA 2.0 could potentially be on the cards down the line when her child/children are at school and she would have more time on her hands.
Charlotte also thanked her supporters and left a reminder for them to dwell over when ever in a predicament like hers.
The post read: “Remember folks – you are number one, always look after yourself”.
Conversation