Maker Coffee’s John and Stephanie Vroom didn’t set out to open a bakery. They first envisioned Baker of Things as a wholesale business that would supply toasties, cookies and cakes to the couple’s five Maker Coffee shops. But when they saw the site next to Keith's Pies on Burnley Street, Richmond – where Baker of Things will open a retail bakery at the end of February – Stephanie says the plan changed. “The whole kitchen is sort of glassed in,” she says. “It’s casual, but it’s beautiful. It just felt so right and pushed us to want to do more”.

The food offering will be overseen by former Beatrix production baking manager Zoe Pearce, who was also head chef at Hardware Societe and at the Vrooms’ first cafe Ora in Kew.

While Baker of Things has been supplying Maker stores for the past two months with everything from toasties to giant rainbow Paddle-Pop-inspired yo-yos, the retail store will have a completely different selection of products.

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Sourdough made with a starter Stephanie cultivated during lockdown, daily focaccia slabs, fresh baguette sandwiches and an “awesome” chicken sandwich will make up most of the savoury offering. And there’ll be changing layer cakes sold by the slice, in flavours such as pink velvet with vanilla buttercream, caramel and vanilla, and fennel with strawberry. Stephanie says they’re also “working on bringing back scones in a pretty epic way”.

There’ll be a pared-back coffee offering with espresso drinks and batch brew, but it’s an easy three-minute walk to Maker Coffee’s Richmond shop for anyone looking for a bigger caffeine fix.

Baker of Things is expected to open at 117 Burnley Street, Richmond in February 2025.