A cafe and bar with a Caribbean twist has enjoyed a “mad” first month after opening in a popular town centre building.
Tonka Bean Cafe and Bar officially opened on June 22 in St Johns Street, Devizes, at what used to be The Vaults micropub.
The popular venue closed last year but now former teacher Abrilli Phillip has brought new life to the town centre with a business inspired by her Trinidadian roots.
She said: “The opening was mad because it was like a party and it was heaving, and I’ve been really supported since.
“People like the building, and they liked the idea of it reopening, but I think people have looked forward to the Caribbean twist and a little difference.
“This is something new because we’ve never had a West Indian or Caribbean influence in Devizes the 16 years I’ve lived here, and people like the fact we have things they can’t get anywhere else.
“It’s about bringing a bit of my home to my new home.”
The 41-year-old came to the UK 20 years ago and has lived in Devizes, working as a teacher in Marlborough and Tidworth, for many years.
But this year she decided to take the plunge and open her own business.
While the building does not have a kitchen, Caribbean favourites such as curried goat, jerk chicken, Jamaican patties and Trinidadian pastries have been on the menu.
Tonka Bean will be open primarily as a cafe from Monday to Wednesday, closing at 4pm, but will also double as a bar, staying open until 9.30pm between Thursday and Saturday.
Ms Phillip also believes that by offering a nighttime venue different to a traditional pub, she is filling another gap in the town centre.
She added: “There’s not a lot of bars and a pub is very different, there’s Muck and Dunder, which is brilliant, and we’ve supported each other.
“For me, I do drinks and food so it’s just something a little bit different.”
Ms Phillip has also sought to support other local businesses by using them to source her products.
A number of her food and drink items were bought from suppliers in Devizes and the surrounding towns.
“People have to realise that with small businesses a personal impact has gone into it, I’ve risked everything in this”, she said.
“What’s key for me is supporting other local businesses because that’s crucial.
“This feels like my second home, and I genuinely love Devizes, so I just want to give to the community.”
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