Meet the Grainger Market Traders: World of Sweets
We chat with the owners behind one of Grainger Market’s newest additions
Bubble tea fans may already know Dave and Carine for their Grainger Market shop Manhua Cha and now the couple are expanding their reach with a new shop, World of Sweets, just next door.
Opened in mid-October, it’s a mecca for those with a sweet tooth (as its name suggests!) so we caught up with Dave and Carine to find out what kind of sweet treats their new venture has in store for us.
What made you want to open a sweet shop?
We have always had a passion for sweets, especially nostalgic sweets that remind us of our childhoods. We wanted to create a place where people could come and rediscover those flavours and create new memories with our range of international sweets.
When we first explored flavours for our bubble tea shop, Manhua Cha, we always wanted to create an east meets west feel. We have traditional bubble tea flavours from Asia as well as British classics like Irn Bru. We wanted to create that in World of Sweets too.
What kind of sweet treats can people buy at World of Sweets?
We offer a huge variety of sweets, from classic British sweets like Jelly Babies and Sherbet Lemons to international treats including Japanese and American candies and drinks. A lot of international stock is hard to come by so our range will be forever changing, which adds to the excitement.
Out of all the sweets you stock, which is your favourite?
I always say that I don't have a sweet tooth, but I've found that when you're stood behind the counter at a sweet shop you're forever trying the sweets. You've got to do the research right?
I personally love the American chews – things like tootsie rolls and Charleston chews. Carines number one favourite is Rosie Apples. She could demolish a 3kg wholesale bag no problem.
You also own Manhua Cha next door. How do you think the two businesses complement each other?
We think the two businesses complement each other perfectly. Manhua Cha offers a bubble tea flavours from around the world and World of Sweets provides sweet treats from around the world too. It's a winning combination.
You’re not just co-business owners but a couple too – what’s it like working together?
Working together as a couple has been a great experience. We have a shared vision for our businesses and we're able to communicate openly and effectively. It's definitely a challenge at times, there are obviously disagreements but we're great at communicating. That, and Carine is definitely the boss!
What’s the best thing about having a business in the Grainger Market?
The Grainger Market is a fantastic location for our businesses. It's a bustling market with a great mix of shops and food traders. We love the sense of community and the diverse customers that the market attracts.
What plans do you have for the future? Will we see a third Grainger Market shop from you guys?
We're always looking for new opportunities to grow our businesses. We're currently working on establishing World of Sweets and looking to expand our range in Manhua Cha with some new and exciting flavours and launching a dessert range.
Who knows though, the Grainger Market is an amazing place to trade. There might be a third shop in future. Never say never.
World of Sweets is located in Unit 61 on Alley 2 in Grainger Market, next door to Manhua Cha in Unit 62. For more information visit www.instagram.com/manhuacha.
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