28-04-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
New coffee shop to open at Victorian Arcade, Ammanford
Mr Nicolai Kostadinova and Mrs Poliana Kostadinova will open The Old Arcade Cafe this Tuesday, April 29.
The couple have lived in Ammanford since December 2010 and have two young boys who have grown up in the area.
The cafe is based near the Victorian Arcade on College Street. Pictured next to the couple are social media manager Craig Davies and his partner Hayley Rees. (Image: Newsquest) Mrs Kostadinova said: 'My dream came true. I always wanted a coffee shop, and it was the perfect opportunity when my brother bought the property as an investment.
'We have been here for almost 15 years. We wanted a new life and a new change. It's a really nice place. We have come from a big city, and we have never wanted to move since being here.
'Ammanford offers the perfect balance between a city and a town. But the population has grown a lot over the years. Since we made our announcement, we have had a very positive response from locals.
'Shops are closing everywhere in the UK, but independent businesses are the way forward by providing more working space and jobs. People have already been asking us to extend our opening hours.'
It was Mrs Kostadinova's dream to open her own coffee shop. (Image: Newsquest) Before deciding to open a new business, the couple owned two pizza restaurants in Wales which they have now sold.
She continued: 'We plan on serving Welsh cakes and traditional cakes from Bulgaria, bringing a bit of Eastern Europe to Ammanford. Besides, European-style cakes like chocolate cake and brownies.
'In the future we want to host an Italian night, Mexican night and other events like a knit and knatter group and birthday parties. After all, we have a lot of space on the second floor.
'We are a Bistro café as we offer a range of breakfast options, but also brunch and lunch. We want to offer something different. All of our food is made from scratch, and I make Italian-style pizza using my own dough.'
The inside of the shop is spacious and well laid out. (Image: Newsquest)
A range of cakes will be sold. (Image: Newsquest) The Old Arcade Café is located on 13 The Arcade, College Street and will be open every day from 8.30am to 3pm.
However, the owners are hoping to introduce one day during the week when they are open later until the evening.
