A new family-run bakery has opened in Freshwater, bringing British favourites and international flavours to West Wight.
The Wight Hart Bakery, located at 7 Avenue Road, has been launched by Polish-born Ewelina Harris, who first visited the Isle of Wight on holiday 10 years ago and quickly decided she wanted to make the Island her home.
Ewelina said:
“We first came to the Island on holiday 10 years ago. I fell in love at first sight and knew I wanted to live here and become part of the community.”
The new bakery offers a full range of British breads and cakes, alongside international favourites including Polish sourdough, Italian focaccia and halka – a brioche-like Israeli bread.
Sweet treats include Polish baked cheesecake and crumbly apple pie, while customers can also choose from fresh sandwiches and coffee supplied by Freshwater Coffee, available to take away or enjoy in the seating area.
The Wight Hart is very much a family affair, with Ewelina’s son Nickodem and daughter Selina helping front-of-house while she works behind the scenes at the bakery’s state-of-the-art ovens.
Ewelina said she hopes the business will become more than somewhere to buy bread, cakes and pastries.
“I want the Wight Hart to be really at the heart of the community and be much more than just a place to buy bread and cakes.
“I’ve already been asked by several customers if I would teach them Polish, so we may well be setting up regular evening classes!”
As well as serving breads, pastries and cakes from around the world, the bakery is also showcasing the work of renowned local artist Donella East, whose paintings are on permanent display inside the premises.
Ewelina added:
“I was so struck with Donella’s paintings that I invited her to stage a permanent exhibition on our walls.
“Now people can enjoy her work when they are with us – or even have a takeaway of an original painting along with their coffee, cake, bread and sandwiches!”
