12/12/2024
We have been quieter than usual over the past year or two and almost silent for a few months, not least because Saif and Leoni both have full time jobs now and MY is more of a pet project (always has been really, but with three young mouths to feed, we needed to do a better job of adulting and making bread, to buy, well... bread).
Anyway, we could write an essay, if not a book on the past 12 - 14 years, but our time to shine has passed. We wanted to let you all know that after relocating the coffee shop back next to the original MY premises, it has been closed since the end of Summer once the scaffolding on our building went up. After 6 months of the cafe closed, we have decided we won't reopen. The future of MY is firmly rooted in a simple workspace or Third Space. A members only area to get your head down and create. Our workspace continues to be open 7 days a week.
Our barista days though are firmly behind us. We had a wonderful 12 years in which we met so many amazing people from Croydon and beyond. Despite our flaws, we know we did something that was really special to a lot of people, for a long while.
It was a privilege to have so much love and support from so many people - both moral and financial. While we feel we delivered outstanding value for money as a hive of community activity and we helped motivate, incubate and support so many worthwhile projects. For some, not least us, that is not enough.
We are committed to repaying everyone who bought shares in the original Matthews Yard or loaned it money through the loan fund in order to help create a community. On that front we have been making solid progress over the years and will continue to do so.
It will take time, but we will ensure no individual who put in money for the purpose of supporting a community initiative and helping make Croydon special will be left out of pocket.
Looking forward, Matthews Yard will operate as a coworking space first and foremost and will host some events and functions, but our day's as a community hub, coffee shop, bar, theatre, live music venue and trying to be everything to everyone are now well and truly behind us while we focus on personal health, wealth and wellbeing, to lay the foundations for a bright future for our kids.
We very much hope you will all support the remaining community spirited independents in Croydon who continue to run with the baton. It is brutal out there and staying afloat is a marathon not a sprint, so please support them all you can, not just in December when you want to treat yourself, but in January and February when it's that little bit harder... for you, and for them.
Shout outs to all the indy's in Croydon keeping on, keeping on, we feel your pain. Special mentions for Crushed Bean for amazing coffee and home baked cakes, The Ludoquist for family fun and gaming (with or without beer).
Stalwarts The Cronx Brewerybrewery The Cronx Tap for independent local beer and ales. Signal Brewery & Taproom for even more great beer from a really friendly team! 80 Stone Coffee Roasters for the best coffee beans Croydon will ever know.
We also reserve a big shout out to Riff Raffs Bar Croydon who are a relative newcomer to Croydon's indy scene and the space that most closely captures the essence of what Matthews Yard was to so many. An independent space, bootstrapped and built with love.
Modest and understated with a space that's a little rough around the edges not because its trendy, but because its bloody hard and bloody expensive to make a space which is polished and fancy and ever break even.
These guys need your love more than anyone right now. So go in, give it a shot and if something isn't how you expect or you think something is missing, don't be British about it and just not go back, but let them know what would get you coming back for more.
If you are looking for great Christmas treats check out local businesses including Captain Chippies for hot sauces, Cocoa Jones Chocolate in Coulsdon for divine sweet treats, and Three Piece Sweet in the basement of Riff Raff's for rare vinyl and vintage clothes for awesome Artwork there are too many to mention, but alecldn is one of our favourites.
If you just want local causes to donate to at Christmas, then look no further than Lives Not Knives or Nightwatch - Homeless Charity who do amazing work day in, day out.
We know we have missed people, facebook either wouldn't let us tag you, or we just forgot. Feel free to big up yourselves in the comments below if you are authentically independent and truly Cronx!
Final shout outs also to all these great local initiatives who deserve a like, follow and an in-person visit.. Turf Projects, Club Soda, Beats & Eats CIC, The Croydon Arts Show, Street Cocktails
Merry Christmas everyone, lets work together to make 2025 a banger in CR0! x
