A business owner who runs a restaurant and beauty salon out of a building which holds family memories has created a lively community hub.
Leila Ghanadi, 46, is the owner of Leila’s Autentico Italiano in Middleton St George.
It is located in the Central Buildings which used to be a supermarket and a youth group. Leila revealed her family connections to the building.
She said: “It used to be the Co-op where my grandparents used to do their shopping. Then it changed hands and it was a youth club my mother used to go to, and I always used to come here when I was little too. I have some really amazing memories here. I also lived here for 12 years.”
Before becoming a restaurant, the building was home to a hair and beauty salon. Leila worked as a skin specialist, and used to teach on Harley Street in London.
The 46-year-old had never planned to turn it into a restaurant or café, let alone run one. But she said the idea came about because of Covid.
She said: “The pandemic hit and I had a coffee machine for clients, so I always served a barista coffee while they were waiting for their treatment or to have their hair done. We went into lockdown, and I was starting to feel really down.
“After a few weeks I spoke to a client and friend of mine who said they were missing the coffee. They were missing their treatments too, but really missing the coffee, so I started selling it on the door. That was a few weeks into the pandemic.”
Queues began to form around the corner of the salon, with enforcement officers coming to make the queueing system better so everyone was two metres apart.
“They were great and really supported us in making the queue system better so it complied with the rules,” Leila said.
“Within a few weeks I was selling cakes, and then a bit further down the line, I converted the hair basin area into a tiny kitchen and bought some second-hand fridges and a panini press.”
The Italian idea came from Leila’s love of Italy and her Italian friends, and also a representative from one of her Italian suppliers.
She said: “They originally thought it was a restaurant, but when they came in, they realised it was a hair and beauty salon.
“I got talking to him and he suggested getting some cannolis to give to my clients. I contacted my supplier and asked what I could do which was quick and easy food-wise. So, I started doing paninis, I ended up making my own focaccia and it’s just gone from there.”
The restaurant was originally called Café Italissimo but underwent a renovation in March and rebranded as Leila’s Autentico Italiano.
Leila said: “It’s been the best thing ever.
“I have also extended the restaurant and got planning permission to renovate upstairs, so that is now a hair and beauty salon and it’s fantastic.
“I rent treatment rooms and hairdressing chairs out and I have some really talented people upstairs. So that’s another great business that has been created from this.”
Most of Leila’s suppliers are from Italy, as she wants the restaurant to be as authentic as possible. However, there are some classic English dishes which have been influenced by Italy.
She said: “I never wanted to do a full English, but I have managed to make an English Italian, where all the ingredients apart from the Heinz beans and the free-range eggs are from Italy.”
The 46-year-old used to make her own focaccia, but due to how busy the restaurant is, she now buys it from Number Eight Bakehouse in Darlington.
And Leila spoke of the importance of continuing to support independent businesses.
She said: “I think it’s really important. I always say, ‘if you don’t use it, lose it’, it’s as simple as that.
“Local, independent businesses I deal with all really care about their produce and what they are giving to the customers. They put their heart and soul into everything, and it’s really important we support them.”
She added that her customers are what makes her work so special.
She said: “When I first started, I had lots of unbelievable support, not just from my existing customers in hair and beauty, but also from the whole village.
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“We have people who come in every day, and you get to know them really well.
“People actually come to see my dog; she’s like the mascot of Leila’s. She’s called Daisy and she’s a cocker spaniel; she is a massive part of the business. She is like a little therapy dog.
“I feel like we’re a bit of a hub for people to come and talk.
“And it always was that when it was a Co-op and youth group, it helped so many people. I have loved every single second of it.”
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