West End favourite celebrates its centenary year
A MUCH-LOVED Glasgow cafe has celebrated its centenary year.
University Cafe on Byres Road marked its 100th birthday on September 1 over the weekend.
Four generations of the Verrecchia family have been serving the local community since the family shop was opened by Pasquale Verrecchia in 1918. To mark the birthday, the shop gave away hundreds of their famous homemade vanilla ice cream cones.
Brothers Paolo and Americo Verrechia – the great grandsons of Pasquale – took over the running of the café in recent years.
As previously reported by the Evening Times, the family feared they may not see their 100th year due to the introduction of business parking charges in the West End.
The University of Glasgow’s janitor shared a heartfelt message to the business.
Posting on Twitter, he wrote: “The wonderful University Cafe is 100yrs old tomorrow. The Verrecchia family have been feeding our students and staff since it opened on September 1st, 1918.
“I’m sure everyone @ UofGlasgow will join me in wishing them the very best. #Happy100th.”
More than 1600 people have liked the post with customers wishing the family shop all the best.
Scottish musician Edwyn Collins, of post-punk band Orange Juice, wrote: “Happy Birthday The University Cafe, 100 year old, amazing-Edwyn.”