Space Makers / Space Changers
What excited us in our early days here in Brixton Village were the almost endless possibilities of transformation and the possibilities of what a tiny empty shop could become.
Working with Spacemakers five years ago we saw empty units become tiny theatres and cinemas which in turn evolved into tea parlours and cleverly compact restaurants. Whilst some people have replicated what turned out to be a good business idea in new locations, we chose to experiment with new ideas in the same place – some of these ideas flowing into more empty units. Over and the past five years we have hardly stood still. The little shop unit that was once empty for 15 years and now hosts our home store has also been a venue for chutney making and design workshops, a gallery space for local artists, a dinning room seating 18 by a cosy wood burning stove in the winter and a seasonal cocktail bar called ‘The Botanical’ in the summer.
The original Cornercopia – ‘corner shop with a difference’ evolved from a larder of local produce with just one table serving food, into a restaurant seating up to 60 and hosting local weddings. Last year it hosted many guest chefs starting their journey in the food business and over 45 women in a food start up program that we ran in collaboration with the Joined up Food Network and Westminser Enterprise.
A New Kitchen
Anyone who has passed by in the past few weeks will have noticed things changing once more! Our restaurant kitchen is going back to the corner unit at number 65 – where it was when we first opened and the story of Cornercopia began. Though it will be much better and more ergonomic now we have got better at doing things in tiny spaces!
We are aiming for the kitchen refit to be finished early next week and the restaurant open from 19th March, with a welcome return of guest chef Blue Jay (see below)
An expanded Homestore
With the kitchen re-located the Cornercopia Home Store will get much needed space to expand – Our new store will have kitchenware, household and outdoor goods on the left, textiles, bathroom, handmade and locally designed goods on the right. We are also considering a regular ‘makers window’ – where you will be able to see spoons carved, baskets woven or books bound. If you know someone who might like a mini residency in our window, do let us know – as always we are open to curious ideas.
Workshops and other Events
Once the re-fits are finished and the new kitchen and Homestore open we will announce news of more workshops for foodies and a rather special series of events in another ‘secret’ space we have been transforming…
Blue Jay returns! – From Thursday 19th March
After a very well received brunch-pop up in February, Blue Jay (aka chef Sherri Dymond ) is returning for a residency at Cornercopia. Sherri was chef at Cornercopia prior to working for one of our favourite & award winning neighbourhood restaurants. She will be back with a lunch and dinner menu full of seasonal and market sourced ingredients – Modern British with a twist.
