A COFFEE shop owner, who overcame serious illness to fulfil her long held dream of opening a café, is about to celebrate a successful first year – with a thanks to her customers. Strensall Coffee House, owned by Hazal, 28, and run alongside her brother, opened last September and has had tremendous success in the area ever since. The café, in Barley Rise in Strensall, serves luxury coffee and tea as well as hot and cold food, including both breakfast and lunch.
The team also accommodate for gluten tree and vegan diets. Hazal, who runs the front of house while Ozgur runs the kitchen, was inspired to start the café after seeing family members run their own businesses. The café, which is in an area with no other food outlets, has gained recognition as one of the fastest growing in the city.
Speaking about her journey, Hazal said: “On March 10, 2023, I achieved a long-held dream by signing the lease for my café. It took over a year of hard work and persistence to overcome the many obstacles that came with transforming a butcher's shop into a cosy café. “Just five weeks later, my life took an unexpected turn - I was diagnosed with stage four Lymphoma.
“Throughout the intense journey of medical tests, chemotherapy, and all that comes with battling cancer, I refused to let go of my dream. Opening the café became my source of strength and hope.” Despite the physical and emotional toll that cancer took on her, Hazal felt determined to push on with her café –.