A York business owner has breathed new life into a beloved city centre cafe.
Weston’s Cafe opened on 39 Layerthorpe at the end of January this year, and in the first few weeks has been a welcome return as a cafe – in what used to be known as the popular Hungry Horace.
Hungry Horace closed in late 2021 and had stood empty ever since – until now!
YorkMix spoke to Weston’s Cafe owner Jodie Bailey about starting a new venture, revitalising a local gem, building a community, and continuing a family legacy.
Weston’s Cafe is Jodie’s first venture into the hospitality business, however she’s no stranger to owning and managing her own business – as she’s owned the salon, Jodie Bailey Lashes & Beauty, upstairs at 39 Layerthorpe for the past three years.
“I’d heard from the landlord that this was possibly coming available, so straight away my cogs get working. I thought: maybe I could do that.
“Within a week of me messaging the landlord saying I’ll have it, I had the keys and was coming up with business plans with my step mum. It was all systems go.
Jodie is balancing working at the salon full time, and in the cafe when she can be, but she says she has a great team around her.
“The first week was quite stressful, and even the week before we opened because there is so much to set up and so much paperwork to do.
“Every day there’s a mental checklist of have we done this, have we done that? Running the salon upstairs is a lot easier than down here!”
Weston’s Cafe serves up a selection of classic hot and cold breakfast and lunch dishes, such as a full English (£7.50), eggs on toast (£4), hot sandwiches like fried egg, sausage or bacon (from £3), paninis (from £5.50), cold sandwiches (from £4.50), and salad boxes (from £6).
A wide selection of coffee, tea, and cold drinks are also available, with hot drinks starting from £2.
Jodie said that the cafe’s menu is inspired by the simple things she likes to eat. “If I go to a cafe, I’m quite fussy. I just want a simple sandwich, or a simple dish.
“So this is what this is about – homemade things. I’m roasting chickens on the morning to put in the sandwiches, and then I make up all my sandwich fillings myself and stuff like that.
“I feel like I’ve opened up a cafe based on the food that I like!”
The cafe has received a very positive response from the community so far.
“It’s getting busier each week that we’re open. There’s been a lot of older people that come on their own that are happy because they used to come to Hungry Horace all the time, and they’re so glad it’s open again as cafe.
“It’s one of them places that they can come and have some breakfast and a cup of tea, and they’re not rushed out the door or anything.
“It’s nice because everyone’s got memories of it as Hungry Horace as well. My husband, when he was younger, said him and the lads always used to come here to get a breakfast sarnie. And when I worked around the corner, I used to come here and get my dinner all the time. So it’s nice, it’s all just fitted in nicely.”
The menu is set to grow to also include some larger meals, inspired by Jodie’s Nana’s cooking, who sadly passed away suddenly in October.
“That’s where the Weston name is from, that’s my maiden name, and my Nana used to make the nicest food. She did this mince and mash that I’m going to bring in, and there’s a couple of secret recipes that she used to do.
“I want it to be a family place, and that’s what sprung me on to do it. I want to keep that Weston name there, and I want it to actually mean something.”
As well as hot and cold savoury food, Weston’s Cafe also offers a selection of homemade bakes and cakes from local businesses. Visitors can expect to find yummy treats from Baker Street Bakers in Clifton Moor, Fred’s Bakery, Bake Chic in Dringhouses, and Brew & Brunch in Dunnington.
Weston’s Cafe is now also on Deliveroo and Jodie is hoping it will help to draw in a student crowd.
The current opening hours for the cafe are Wednesday, 9am to 2pm and Thursday to Saturday, 8am to 2pm.
To stay up to date with Weston’s Cafe, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.
