A SALISBURY-based independent bistro and cafe opened a new site in Wilton last week and customers are "loving it".
The Wood Bar, founded in 2020, opened its first Salisbury site last summer and now has three other bistros dotted around the city, including Victoria Park, Churchill Gardens and Parkwood Health and Fitness.
This latest venture brought founders Tom Britten and partner Dimitrie Domtsos to The Guild in Wilton, transforming the former Herbs and Wild cafe into The Wood Bar.
The pop up site is set to stay in The Guild for six months, with the possibility of a few months' extension if things to go plan.
Manager Lewis Woodhead, aged 20, started as a barista at the Parkwood site last year but has taken on a new role at the Wilton bistro.
He said: "The growth has been phenominal. It's been really good to see a lot of new faces again at a new site.
"Everyone's really pleased that there's a bistro back in The Guild."
Providing customers a "chill atmosphere", The Wood Bar offers an indoor cafe alongside a large tepee in the garden.
Mr Woodhead said the Wood Bar offers sandwich fillings that aren’t ”regular” - this is one way the bistro sets itself apart from the competition, and why "customers are loving it".
"We like to stand out from the crowd and do things differently to everyone else. We're not your standard, average cafe," he added.
A focus on local businesses
The Wood Bar sources the menu items from other local businesses.
Coffee comes from the Full Circle Brewery and sausage rolls and quiche are homemade by a chef working at one of the other sites.
Local talent is exhibited and sold at Wood Bar locations in Salisbury, showcasing the work from small businesses and artists in the area, and the same can be expected in Wilton.
Future expansion outside of Salisbury and Wilton is on the cards for The Wood Bar if all goes well.
Lewis said: "When this contract is up, we’ll be looking to get another site elsewhere which would more than likely be outside of Salisbury.
"We’re trying to get as big as possible."
Eager to continue the momentum of the successful launch, The Wood Bar in Wilton is taking bookings for all sorts of events.
If you are interested in hosting an event, visit the @woodbaruk Instagram page or contact Lewis directly.
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