Having friends that are a little far flung is awesome. They give you inside knowledge of where to go in their hometowns (and if they’re babely enough, they’ll show you around themselves!) and you can have some brilliant fun with snail mail (how old-school!). Which brings me onto my next point: I spend a LOT of time in Post Offices making sure my distant dolls get their little treats and letters. When I heard that Great Western Road’s Post Office was getting something of an overhaul, I was intrigued. I mean, how much could you really do to change a Post Office? Aren’t they pretty much bog standard? I was about to be pleasantly proven wrong…
Cleaned out, painted and re-opened under the name Penny Black, it’s not just the name that has changed here. Now an all-singing, all-dancing speciality cafe, independent shop and (still) Post Office, Penny Black have created a hub of activity right in the heart of the West End. I went along last week to find out more about this new venture and now I’d like to share 5 reasons why you should definitely pay these guys a visit:
Location, Location, Location
Penny Black are located on Great Western Road, right around the corner from Oran Mor and Byres Road and only a hop, skip and jump from the Subway. In the warmer months, I can see myself grabbing one of their delicious coffees by Matthew Algie and crossing the road to the Botanic Gardens for a wee seat in the sun. Bliss! Until then, I will be more than happy to hang out in their industrial-styled interior which has undergone a massive refurbishment. Think Edison bulbs and exposed brickwork, mixed with original features of the traditional building and you’re on the right track. I felt right at home!
The Food
As well as coffee, the spacious cafe area of the store is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat. All of the menu items are Glasgow or Central belt-based and you can expect to find speciality teas, gourmet sandwiches, award-winning craft-based cakes, ice cream and the Penny Black signature Artisan cheesecake. I am not ashamed to say that I have sampled all of these tasty treats and would highly recommend them all! Special mention goes to the cheesecake though. Yum!
Happy Shopper
A large area of the store is a dedicated gift emporium, hosting a curated collection of UK-based creatives. I immediately recognised a few of my favourites - like biscuit textiles from Nikki McWIlliams, Alphabet bags, er, bags and PopCult pencil packs. I also enjoyed browsing fun prints by Lloyd Loves and heavenly marshmallows from Zucr. With a massive selection of quirky cards (including a Lloyd Loves Glasgow-themed design exclusive to the store) to boot, the range of products is diverse and supports excellent independent companies. What I love about Penny Black is that it is bringing a lot of these brands together and making them accessible offline.
Wait a Minute, Mr Postman
You’d think with all this going on, there can’t possibly be any room for a Post Office surely? But actually, there is. This shop is like a real-life Tardis - you don’t realise the space until you’re inside! After having a cuppa and buying a few cute gifts, you can still swan over to post that parcel and pick up some stamps. Featuring a bright, sunny Post Office area that I won’t mind waiting in line for, there is a wide range of mail services available. Perfect for getting those all-important Christmas presents delivered on time!
Feel the Love
If there’s one thing that Penny Black lives and breathes, it’s COMMUNITY. Creating an interesting, comfortable and vibrant space for the locals to enjoy is at the heart of this business. It was evident from the warm welcome that I got from the family-run team who told me about their vision of rejuvenating the place and creating somewhere fresh and friendly. They are also passionate about the companies that they work with and brands that they stock, building local links and sharing their favourites with their customers.
Penny Black is a fantastic addition to the high street and I can’t wait to pop back in again. Will you be checking them out?
Love,
Miss West End Girl x
My friend was just speaking about this! I’m so excited to go in for a nosey. The cheesecake is from Artisan Cheesecake in Bathgate - https://www.facebook.com/artisancheesecakes?ref=ts&fref=ts well worth a visit if you’re in that neck of the woods.
Nikki x
I have been stalking Artisan Cheesecakes on social media ever since visiting Penny Black. Lynsay, let’s road trip it in the new year.
This place looks amazing! Wish my local post office was this fabulous. Hx