Box River Café in Boxford eager to expand business after opening following major refurbishment
Suffolk Free Press
21 July 2020
The owner of a French-inspired café in Boxford has ambitious plans to expand her new business with a range of dining events.
Myalee Chaytor opened Box River Cafe in Broad Street this month, following a major refurbishment.
Having previously leased the premises, which had operated as a cafe for several years, Mrs Chaytor decided to run her own business from the site, serving locally-sourced goods.
"It was the local businesses that kept the area going during the coronavirus lockdown," she said. "It's important to support them as much as possible."
Passionate about French eateries, Mrs Chaytor has incorporated a traditional theme.
"I have taken inspiration from the cafés in Paris and the ones around Toulouse and Gaillac in the south of France,"said the mother-of-two, who makes regular trips to the country with her husband, William, and two daughters.
"We often go a few times a year," she said.
Reflecting on her fond experiences of dining in French cafés, Mrs Chaytor said the warm atmosphere always proved enticing.
"It's the camaraderie and the sense of community," she said. "Not just for the local people, but for the people who are visiting the area; they like to find somewhere that is friendly."
Before focusing on her own venture, Mrs Chaytor had worked as a sales director at Swarovski, a luxury jewellery brand.
With previous experience in hotel management and catering, Mrs Chaytor hopes to put her extensive knowledge to good use by expanding the business.
Once she has secured a licence to sell alcohol, Mrs Chaytor plans to host afternoon teas for a range of occasions.
"If people want to have a birthday celebration, or a baby shower, we will be offering small-scale events," she said.
Mrs Chaytor is also exploring plans to stage regular wine tasting events, using goods from an off-licence which her husband runs in the village.