A POPULAR coffee shop that has been a pivotal part of the community in Basingstoke is under new ownership.
The cafe opened in August 2020 during the height of the pandemic and has successfully made a name for itself in the town centre.
The community-focused and dog-friendly independent speciality coffee shop has now been purchased by Mark and Anita Lincoln.
It comes after former owner and founder Mary Stevens put the cafe on the market in September after deciding to retire.
READ MORE: Popular Willows Coffee House in Basingstoke up for sale
Mark said: "We are delighted to be the new owners of a clearly much-loved local coffee house. We have been made fully aware the famous Willows Puppacino must remain a stable of the menu. We look forward to continuing the wonderful reputation Mary has worked so hard to establish with Willows."
Mary, 59, opened the shop during the peak of the Covid lockdown, because she wanted to "put something back into Basingstoke" and provide a community space for residents in the midst of the pandemic.
Throughout the years Willows has been a pillar in the community and is known to support many Love Basingstoke events, including the popular starting point for the Basingstoke Festival Parade, Diwali Parade and the Streets Alive Project.
It regularly hosts its own events too including craft markets, art and artisan fairs, live music, puppy walking, meditation and art classes.
This year the business won the Inspire Business Award for diversity and inclusion for its work in the community, welcoming everyone from any community, age, ability, race, orientation and identity.
SEE ALSO: Willows Coffee House owner says emotional goodbye
It has also received numerous other nominations and been a finalist in other awards over the three years.
Mary Stevens added: “It’s a sad as well as a happy time for me personally as I’ve built Willows from scratch and seen it develop over the last three years into a gorgeous little place full of character and happy smiling faces. I believe I brought something a little different to our town as it’s not ‘just another coffee shop’. Long may it continue.
“Although I’m sad to be leaving it all behind me I’m delighted to pass the business over to Mark and Anita who have fallen in love with Willows and want to continue where I’ve left off making it even more successful than it is already."
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