A long-held ambition has become a reality for Ryde resident Kelly Wavell, who has opened Cherry Lane – a new baking supplies shop in the heart of town dedicated to helping home bakers put the perfect finishing touches on their creations.
The new venture marks the fulfilment of a dream Kelly has held for years prior and builds on her experience as a local business owner. Having moved to the Isle of Wight from the mainland at the age of 8, she opened Koko’s Bear Shop on Union Street in 2007, where she continues to welcome families looking for collectable soft toys and build-your-own-bear experiences.
The new shop, located at 27 Cross Street just a stone’s throw from High Street and Union Street, stocks everything needed to add the finishing touches to your labours of love. Kelly said she is not trying to compete with supermarkets in the way of ingredients; instead, she is focusing on hard-to-find toppers, nozzles, boxes, icing of all colours as well as the colourants themselves.
Cherry Lane also supplies a selection of goodies for dogs, boasting a dog-friendly carrot cake and ice cream mix as well as bone-shaped moulds.
Speaking on the venture, Kelly said:
“I wanted to do something that makes people feel special, and I think homemade goodies are the best with all the finishing touches on there.”
“ I think they taste so much better, and I think it’s really touching, isn’t it, when somebody makes something and decorates it. You know they’ve put an effort into it, and it’s just really special.”
Being a long-term business owner already, Kelly said opening a shop like Cherry Lane has always been something she has wanted to do. Touching on the closure of Iced Inspirations, a baking supply shop that proved popular with Rydes locals for over 30 years, Kelly said it was so sad to see it go.
Despite operations of the former matriarch still running online, Kelly waited and waited for someone to open the next version of it, and when it never came, she thought she’d go for it.
A hobbyist baker herself who enjoys providing sweet treats for her family and friends to enjoy, Kelly said:
“ It’s all about the decorating in here. It’s not just ingredients – I’ve got everything to make it look fancy. They’ve always been my favourite kind of shop, so I’ve always wanted to do it.
“ I don’t want to compete with supermarkets, so it won’t be so much about ingredients. It’s all about the finishing touches.
”The cherry on top really; that’s where the name came from, along with the fact we’re right on the alleyway/lane leading to the Co-op car park.
She emphasised that although she already stocks a huge amount of products, she really wants to add to it by waiting to see what customers come in looking for.
She said:
“ When you’re making a cake, it adds up so much, and I always wanted really cheap little toppers and stuff that you can’t get anywhere. So I’m just going to have to see what people want and get stuff in as we go.
“ I love it. I’ve painted everything pink. I only live down the road, so I can walk into work, and it’s just really nice. Everyone in the street has been so welcoming.”
Feeling excited for what the future will bring, Kelly said Just come in and see us!
Cherry Lane is open closed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with opening hours varying between 10:00 – 14:00 on Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 -16:00 on Wednesdays and 10:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays.
