We’re wrapping up 2020 with some reflections and resolutions from the faces behind The Yards. From the brilliant store managers to the inspirational chefs, these are the ‘Hidden Gems’ that make The Yards a wonderful place to be.
Andy & Peace – instructors at Yogarise
We caught up with the wonderful Andy & Peace from Yogarise to chat all things lockdown and more. Peace told us she’s really missed the vibe of being in central London over the past few months and is loving being back at The Yards.
‘Central London felt like a ghost town! Now that we’re steadily moving back to a new phase post-lockdown, I can’t wait to explore more of what The Yards has to offer.’
Although 2020 has been a tricky year for retailers, we always want to focus on the positive, so we asked Andy if she thought she’d learned any ‘lockdown lessons’:
“What I learnt during this time is that we have this amazing ability as humans beings to adapt & strength to keep going, even when things are so hard and challenging. Finally, I realised how little one needs to be happy. How simple & satisfying life can be.”
Yogarise kept us all sane and healthy with their varied list of at-home classes – and they’re not stopping the online programme anytime soon. View their schedule of online sessions here.
The rest of 2020 is a busy one for Yogarise with workshops, training courses and community yoga classes – follow them on Instagram to keep up to date!
Emiliano – restaurateur at 28°-50° Wine Bar & Kitchen
Meet Emiliano, manager and restaurateur at The Yards newest eatery – 28°-50° Wine Bar & Kitchen. Emiliano’s infectious positivity is what makes him one of our ‘Hidden Gems’.
“Covent Garden in springtime was in fact glorious – it seemed to be sunny every day and London was, for the first time in memory, spotlessly clean.”
He told us that the team at 28°-50° actually enjoyed making the best of lockdown and used the time to get to know the local community as well as getting a whole host of amazing ideas in the pipeline for their return to Covent Garden.
Find out more about 28°-50° Wine Bar here.
Flo – bar manager at Dalla Terra Wine Bar
When speaking with all of our Hidden Gems, the message we’ve heard over and over is one of a renewed sense of community at The Yards. We’re proud to have such a strong network of restaurants and retailers – that’s why we wanted to celebrate the amazing hard work of all of our Hidden Gems.
Flo is the bar manager at Dalla Terra. He spent lockdown building stronger relationships with his colleagues as well as improving his wine knowledge. He told us:
“Across lockdown we enjoyed a new found sense of friendship and support with the other staff. The 3 most important things I’ve learned from 2020 are care, continuity and community.”
You’ll be able to enjoy Dalla Terra’s wonderful terrace, live music and endless wine choices soon, but in the meantime you can order your favourite bottles to your door here.
Martin – Cartographer at Stanfords Travel
Meet Martin – he’s been an employee at travel bookshop Stanfords for over 27 years! From writing maps, to serving coffee to working on the shop floor, Martin’s done it all and he’s proud to work for such a successful independent bookshop.
He told us:
“We now have to multitask a bit more, to help each other out and take on other jobs within the company. Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ has been pretty easy for me.”
Stanfords was one of the first places to reopen post-lockdown, serving up coffee, pastries and smiles to welcome visitors and locals back to The Yards ?
While the store is closed, make sure you head online – you’ll find a wonderful selection of gifts and an unrivalled travel literature selection.
Ruth – Ballet teacher at Pineapple
Our ‘Hidden Gem’ from Pineapple is Ruth, ballet teacher, choreographer and mentor at London’s largest and most iconic dance studio. She told us that she found it difficult not being at The Yards across springtime:
‘There’s an irreplaceable atmosphere at both Pineapple and The Yards, so enduring a forced absence over lockdown was like nursing an invisible injury!”
Over the last few months, Pineapple have been busier than ever, taking the studio classes online. From beginner dance to private coaching, you can now book all your sessions through the Pineapple Live app! Find out more here.
Keep dancing with Pineapple Live, and shop the clothing and accessory ranges on their website.
Stefano – chef at Maison Bab
Our final ‘Hidden Gem’ is Stefano – chef, front-of-house member and jack of all trades at modern kebab house, Maison Bab. Stefano decided to use his time over lockdown for good and so he joined forces with professionals across the hospitality industry to create the London Restaurant Cooperative. This not-for-profit social kitchen provides delicious chef-cooked meals to the NHS, vulnerable people and key workers.
When we spoke to Stefano about his lockdown experience he said:
“This year has been a tough time, but for us at Maison Bab, we’ve used it as a chance to help others in even worst scenarios. I believe we’ve done great with the London Restaurant Cooperative, it’s been a great reason to keep waking up in the morning.”
Aside from serving up community meals across lockdown, the team at Maison Bab were busy perfecting the menu – the doors may have closed for a little while longer, but you can still order your favourite ‘babs for delivery!