Meet our new Face of the High Street - Farah Merali of the Farahway Cafe!
This vibrant yet elegant addition to the street has filled a spot once occupied by Madras Express and owner Farah is responsible for the transformation that has seen 223 North Street go from curry house to cafe. It’s all in the details as you sit down for a cup of coffee amidst the embroidered flower installation and patchwork designed walls.
Farah moved from Sheffield to Bristol for university and fell in love with the city immediately. After a few years working for a pension company, Farah decided it was time to combine her passion for arts and community and create the perfect “hub of creativity”.
With her mum owning an arts and crafts shop, and running workshops throughout her childhood, Farah felt that it was the right time to retire from the world of pensions, and put her own spin on the art trade to develop a creative, interactive space that doubled up as a cafe.
Farah has lived in the Bedminster area for the last 5 years and has seen as the street has gradually transformed into a space with more creative influence. With the addition of popular businesses such as Trylla and local favourite, UPFEST, she felt that it was the right time to introduce something new.
Farah talks about how familiar she was with local businesses prior to opening and has been quickly accepted into the community with support from other traders and advice from the streets alumni. She highlights the sense of community that she has felt since joining the street and the friendly faces that have popped by to say hello!
The space will be occupied 2 - 3 times a week by independent creatives who can hire the space to run workshops and the first installation of workshops are set to start on Tuesday 1st October! You can book onto them by speaking to a member of the team or via eventbrite.
Visit Farah and her team at 223 North Street, between 08:30-16:30, where you can sit back and relax with a cup of coffee and browse the range of projects and workshops on offer to keep your creative mind alight.
Instagram: @farahwayartsandcraftscafe