A Belfast shop owner celebrating 25 years of business still values every customer that comes through the door.
Vincent McKenna was in his thirties when he opened The Chef Shop on Wellington Place back in 1997.
It was "the early days of the internet," Vincent said, and he was working as a full-time chef at various hotels and restaurants across Belfast.
The business originally started out as a uniform company, but Vincent then came up with the idea to also sell "unusual" chef products that you couldn't get hold of locally.
The entrepreneur started selling from his van - going around hotels and restaurants to make himself known.
"It's like everything else, we had to build the business," Vincent said.
But this hard work paid off, and in 1997, Vincent and his wife Breeda decided to "bite the bullet" and open their very own shop.
25 years later, the business is still standing.
The shop is now both a kitchen and uniform supply store - providing for businesses in the catering business, as well as for the general public.
Vincent, now 60, said: "There are lots of people interested who are keen cooks. We're a retail store now, that's what we are."
Like the majority of high street businesses, The Chef Shop was closed for five months of 2021 because of the pandemic.
Vincent said: "Because of the nature of our business, we're very dependent on the catering trade as well. So, when hotels and restaurants are closed down or when their numbers are reduced, it hits us very badly."
"It couldn't get much worse, but everybody else was in the same boat."
Despite these difficulties, The Chef Shop remains open with four staff working there throughout the week. The couple also own Insignia - an embroidery and printing business upstairs.
"We've built our business up over 25 years," Vincent said, "All the local restaurants and hotels are big supporters of us."
Despite taking comfort in their regular customers in the catering industry, the couple still value every purchase - no matter how big or small.
Vincent said: "The wee woman coming in to buy a potato peeler is every bit as important as the chef chasing a large order for uniforms, you know?"
So, what is the key to success when it comes to long-lasting business?
"You've just got to work hard is what you've got to do," according to Vincent.
And how will The Chef Shop be celebrating 25 years in the city?
By treating their customers, of course.
Big offers can be expected at The Chef Shop throughout the year. You can keep up-to-date on the shop's social media page.
