Sweet success as Nanny Mary’s expands
A family business launched in lockdown is undergoing expansion after passing the taste test with customers.
Nanny Mary’s Desserts is to open its first sit-in diner in the heart of Ayr town centre. It follows a boom in turnover for the popular takeaway which began trading at the peak of the Covid crisis.
Three generations of the same family work behind the scenes at the popular eaterie which serves everything from waffle treats to homemade burgers.
And they say honouring the family’s late ‘Nanny Mary’ is helping drive them on to success.
Allana Harte, who plays a key role in the running of the business said:
“My gran was the type of woman who always had a sweet tooth and the family flocked to her kitchen.
“When she passed in 2017, it left a huge hole in our lives, so she would be immensely proud to see the business doing so well now.
“We opened at a tough time but have managed to sustain ourselves and are now growing and offering more employment opportunities.”
The diner, in the town’s Smith Street across from Ayr railway station, will employ around 20 people and adds to the firm’s other ventures in Troon and Kilmarnock.
Allana, who works alongside mum Alana, grandad James and uncles Michael and Noel, said: “Our whole slogan is that we’re a business built by family, for families. When we were growing up, we sat down as a family and enjoyed mealtimes. It was something we were big on. But I know how hard that can be with today’s generation. You had to sit at Nanny Mary’s table - if not she’d chase you with the wooden spoon!”
Allana, 27, added: “Losing Nanny Mary was devastating for the family but we’ve turned it into a positive through her name.
“We are proud of producing everything homemade here - that’s what makes us different from a lot of other places.
“Everything is made from scratch and fresh to order. Whether it’s fresh fruit cut with each order or the burgers cooked on the spot.
“You have to make a business off of your reputation and that’s what means everything to us.”