Derek’s is opening on Lark Lane, marking the brand’s fourth site in a number of years
Ethan Woodroofe (right) and Adam Taylor came up with the concept for Derek’s Coffee & Sandwiches after their many trips to see their friend in Brooklyn
The owners behind a popular New York-inspired sandwich shop have made a “promise” for its new Liverpool site. Lunch spot Derek’s already has venues dotted around the city, including on Allerton Road, Crosby and most recently Berry Street.
The brand was created by friends Ethan Woodroofe and Adam Taylor after the former visited the Big Apple and felt that “there was nowhere in Liverpool to get a real sandwich packed with proper ingredients like we’d had in New York”. Using what little savings that they had, the friends launched their first shop in March 2021.
Fast forward to today, and the company is preparing to launch on Lark Lane. The venue has been painted in the teal colour that has become synonymous with Derek’s and the logo has been plastered onto the wall as well.
Speaking to the ECHO about the new venture, Ethan, 28, said: “One of the sickest things ever is people walking past the new building and knowing it’s just us by the colour. That was always the goal really – it’s green, Derek’s green.
Adam Taylor and Ethan Woodroofe own Derek’s Coffee & Sandwiches(Image: Derek’s)
“The new store is more of the same, with amazing sandwiches. But in the past four years we’ve learned so much so this one will be the best one yet. It’s been designed in a way to make service quicker and make it more comfortable for people to get around the shop.
“It’s a bigger and better Derek’s really. To be honest, we weren’t looking for a new site but when Lark Lane came up it wasn’t even a question really. It came to us and you can’t turn down Lark Lane can you?”
An opening date has yet to be confirmed but Ethan said the hope was by the end of July. As of now, the co-founder said they are focusing on finishing joinery work and the seating arrangements.
Popular Derek’s sandwiches include The Grinder (salami, prosciutto, chicken, emmental, tomato, tapenade, Grinder slaw and honey) and Gabagool Sandwich (prosciutto, cappicola, salami, mozzarella, tomato, basil, rocket, pesto and balsamic glaze).
The new Lark Lane venture
Ethan previously told the ECHO how the brand started in 2021. He said: “Me and Adam have been best mates since we were about two years old. We went to nursery together, primary school and secondary school.
“Before Derek’s, I did filmmaking and Adam went straight into hospitality from school. We always used to sit next to each other in every class and say: ‘One day, we’ll open up our own food place’. During lockdown, we’d both saved up some money; Adam was going to move to Canada, and I’d just come back from New York to see our mate who’d moved there.
“While I was in New York, I was eating in delis and saying that there was nothing like this back home; we don’t really take sandwiches that seriously at home and I’d love to do something like this.
“New York sandwiches are massive and well thought out; it’s not just your standard ham salad sandwich; it’s imported Italian meats, real cheeses and real produce which is actually quite good for you – the food is proper food and a sandwich is a big, wholesome meal.
Derek’s Coffee and Sandwiches will be serves up coffee and homemade iced teas
“I knew Adam knew the hospitality side of things and I knew a lot of the creative side because I also used to work as a chef, so together we could have a go at it. I’ve always had a passion for food, cooking and American culture, so it was basically just a love affair of all the things that we love.”
On the first opening day, the pair naively predicted 30 customers, “if they were lucky” to turn up. However, this wasn’t the case at all. Ethan added: “Cut to 11 am on opening day and over 100 turned up to support us and queued down the road whilst we tried to keep a brave face and act like we had it all under control.
“The next day we got in at 5am and cut enough pickles and cold cuts to feed a village. Since that first day, [our customers have] supported us unconditionally, waited in the long queues, had the sad Derek’s moment when their favourite hoagie has sold out, been excited for new subs, worn our merch with pride and told friends about us.
“We’re an independent business that’s grown a team of 25 plus amazing and hard working people who are as passionate about Derek’s as we are. Here’s to three shops in three years.”