‘I don’t feel like I’m ending something, it feels like I’m actually completing it’
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium has closed its Affleck’s café after 12 years(Image: Ginger’s Comfort Emporium)
A beloved desserts café has closed down after 12 years in a historic building in Manchester’s city centre.
Having first opened within Afflecks Palace in 2013, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium has been a popular spot for ice cream treats, serving up a number of award-winning creations homemade in a kitchen in Chorlton.
Led by owner Claire Kelsey, the café often sells popular flavours like its salted caramel and peanut butter, affectionately hailed as Chorlton Crack, and its extra virgin olive oil, which was once previously named Best Dessert at the British Street Food Awards. It also serves a host of seasonal specials like smoked almond & cherry, and Blackberry & Liquorice.
Owner Claire has now announced that the ice cream bar has now served up its final scoops at Afflecks – having permanently closed down its venue inside the Northern Quarter shopping emporium on Saturday (October 4).
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Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, led by Claire Kelsey, started as an ice cream van some 15 years ago(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In a post on social media, Claire said there was ‘no sad reason’ for the decision, and said it had been made in order to focus ‘extra energy’ on new ideas, as well as continuing to appear at regular street food markets and festivals across the country throughout the year.
The venture started life in 2010 as a renovated Ford ice cream van – decorated in pink, gold and burgundy – lovingly nicknamed Ginger. As well as appearing at festivals and events, Ginger’s can also be hired out for corporate events, weddings and parties.
Speaking to the M.E.N., Claire said she was ‘heartbroken’ to close the Afflecks venue, but ultimately felt it was the right decision to make for both herself and for the business going forward.
“It was a really hard decision because I love it so much, but the shop is also one of the hardest sides of the business in terms of it being the most taxing for the least return,” Claire explains. “We have always made a profit there, but it requires so much time and energy.
The ice cream bar at Affleck’s closed on Saturday (October 4)(Image: Ginger’s Comfort Emporium)
“I’ve really liked being at Afflecks – it’s a part of old Manchester, which I relate to – and there’s nothing about it that I’m not seriously going to miss. The whole team have been amazing and the staff work so, so hard.
“It’s heart-breaking to let it go, and I really do think it’s one of the best spots in the Northern Quarter to be, but it’s also exciting that we can move over and let someone else have a go in that unit now.”
Claire said she wants to reassure fans that the Ginger’s business is going nowhere. They will continue on the wholesale side of the operation, and are already booking spots at markets, festivals and events for next year.
“I don’t want people to think that Ginger’s is closing,” she explains. “There’s a lot of excitement to be had for the future. I don’t feel like I’m ending something, it feels like I’m actually completing it. I feel like this is actually a really good time to go, because it’s been so great.”
Claire said that staff at the Affleck’s shop will be given opportunities to work at the kitchen, which many already do, as well as being able to help out at regular festivals and corporate hire events.
Ginger’s will continue to appear at festivals and markets across the country(Image: Ginger’s Comfort Emporium)
She also has some hopes of expanding the kitchen operation in the future too.
“I’m also thinking of putting a small bar into our kitchen,” Claire explains. “We could turn the neon lights on when we’re churning ice cream and people can pop in for a scoop or two with some homemade toppings and sauces.”
But Claire says that, ultimately, she sees the closure of the emporium as a positive next step and she is excited to see what next year brings when she returns to their regular calendar of events and festivals from next February onwards.
“It’s time to take a step back in order to take a step forward,” she reiterates. “I feel like I have been spread so thin and drawn into so many different things that I’m now struggling to see the bigger picture.
“I’ve got to close this down, take some time off where I’m not thinking about ice cream, and come back fizzing with ideas.”
Speaking about the closure of Ginger’s, AJ Martyn, General Manager of Afflecks, told the M.E.N.: “Ginger’s Comfort Emporium has been a member of the Afflecks family for 12 years and will always hold a place in our community. Whilst Claire and the team are now focusing on other areas of the business they have taken the decision to step back from the parlour.
“Though we’re sad to see them go, we wish them the very best of luck with their next exciting chapter and look forward to working with them in the future. We are in positive talks with other hospitality offerings and will update when we have further news on what’s next for this space.”
You can follow Ginger’s Comfort Emporium on Facebook and Instagram.
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