Our story started when a little boy was inspired by his grandfather Rex<\/a>, the original artisan with talents in carpentry, gardening, dressmaking, building and more.\u00a0 Glenn was always a keen cook throughout his years in the City, but then took the plunge to learn how to bake at the Artisan School of Food and by apprenticing at a fabulous real bread bakery<\/a> himself. He started baking bread for a community following initially from the family home garage, which led to opening the Little Chalfont shop in 2014.\u00a0 This continued to grow over the years, adding in wholesale delivery to discerning eateries and shops around Bucks, Berks and Herts.<\/p>\n When 2020 and the pandemic hit, it became apparent that customers have rediscovered a passion for shopping locally, eating healthily and supporting independent businesses. With this in mind, the Rex Bakery family looked to see where a second shop close to our Chilterns\u00a0 base could be opened.\u00a0 Our family has always loved Windsor.\u00a0 We think it is the most beautiful town \u2013 fortunate to be on the Thames, with the Castle and blessed with a stunning main shopping street.\u00a0 Visitors and residents alike always look happy!\u00a0 A favourite destination of ours over the years for pantomime, a mooch, a run or to shop for something special. We are proud to supply a couple of great food businesses in the area \u2013 the Organic Bread Shop<\/a> and Millar\u2019s Eatery<\/a> so feel part of the scene already.<\/p>\n What has always surprised us is how under-served Windsor foodies are.\u00a0 There really aren\u2019t many places that you can go for a truly gourmet sandwich, real food (simple whole ingredient, largely unprocessed, additive-free) or specialty coffee.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t want to waste good calories on bad bread, your options are limited.\u00a0 We have learnt from our market research that Windsor residents care about their health, feel frustrated by the mostly chain food outlet options in their town and are hoping for a little more variety on their high street.<\/p>\n We found what used to be Mai\u2019s Images Nail Bar, and back in the day was a women\u2019s fashion shop (when it was still a traffic route, I have 2 now practically vintage blouses bought from there!) and previously a furniture store.\u00a0 It had become run down, abandoned by the nail bar staff at the start of the pandemic and in a state of significant disrepair requiring leak-proofing, new plumbing, heating, window repair and more.\u00a0 It had an abandoned wasteland behind it and leaking aircon units from another nearby property trespassing on its back wall! This is a good news story about a Windsor landlord who wants to preserve their property for generations to come, and has updated the property\u2019s five floors from head to toe, and worked with us to pave the way for a beautiful new shop open to the public on the ground floor with new restored back courtyard access, and first floor for inside dining when allowed again.<\/p>\n Many passers-by have asked us why that precise shop when there are so many empty ones up & down the high street. The first & most important answer is that we think the building is one of the most handsome in all of the Windsor shopping area.\u00a0 Just take a look up at it, it is registered as a building of special architectural interest yet it\u2019s not a listed building which makes it far easier!\u00a0 We loved it rightaway and immediately felt it could be a warm home to Windsor\u2019s newest independent family bakery.\u00a0 The back courtyard will be a huge bonus to the property too, it means we can welcome dogs!<\/p>\n Second, the price was right for us.\u00a0 Most of Windsor shopping area has a few big landlords (including the Crown Estate!) but since we started talking in Summer 2020, JIsaacs Management and their estate agents Deriaz Campsie felt we could bring something special to Windsor, saw our potential and vision, and sought to achieve win-win value. Third, we did want to be convenient for residents walking from home as well as accessible to national tourists who won\u2019t venture too far down from the station and castle area.\u00a0 46 Peascod Street is perfectly located for all of that.<\/p>\n As a food-first business, we will be producing delicious baked products in Windsor and we needed to equip a catering kitchen as well as secure 3-phase electricity to cope with our equipment. This has been particularly difficult to do without spending a fortune and taking forever \u2013 the excavations many saw right outside our shop unfortunately cost us thousands and were many weeks overdue.\u00a0 The latest was that SSE\u2019s contractor who was supposed to complete works by the end of March, was granted an extended highways licence by the council, to leave a gaping hole right outside our new shop until 13th April!\u00a0 This impacted on how much product we could make, and our sign-makers couldn\u2019t complete their works either!<\/p>\n Finally we needed to find staff who are passionate about our product, serving customers in the right way and preferably local given parking challenges!\u00a0 This took a time but we are really excited about the new talented team ready to welcome you to Rex. You can be the judges of how well we are serving you, please come and visit us now that we opened our doors to the Windsor public.\u00a0 Let us know what you think in the comments, follow us on our Windsor Instagram page here<\/a>, or leave a Google review <\/a>if you\u2019re pleased with the experience.\u00a0\u00a0 A big thank you in advance to lovely Windsor!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rexbakery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Handsome-building-242x300.jpg\")
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It\u2019s been quite a painful drawn-out process since the decision was made, however.\u00a0 It\u2019s difficult for a small business to negotiate the pre-planning and planning and licenses \u2013 this is still very much a work in progress!\u00a0 Lockdowns have impeded progress twice. Whilst an essential food business could stay open throughout the pandemic, we didn\u2019t feel that it was appropriate to open a new bakery-cafe before restrictions began to ease somewhat.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rexbakery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Rex-can-welcome-dogs-225x300.jpg\")
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