'Surreal': New Neilston coffee shop owners react to opening weekend

Stuart and Donna Dornan took over the Harelaw Trouth Fishery Coffee Shop just over a month ago after venturing into the eatery industry.

The married couple, who are from the village too, had a short time to refurbish and implement their ideas to open in time for their planned deadline, which they successfully achieved.

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Donna and Stuart (Image: Anthony Flett)

Now, looking back on a hectic launch weekend, both of them have said that they are "proud" and "gobsmacked" at how their first weekend turned out.

Donna said: "It was great fun and so exciting.

"It was lovely to see so many people and those that did come in, they were so understanding, so friendly, and we couldn't have asked for a better crowd.

"Before the weekend there was many a time we thought 'have we done the right thing?'

"But when we got behind that counter all the hard work seemed to fall into place.

"There were many a sleepless night for us both about this so to see if all come together is something we are pretty proud of.

"Over the weekend we served over 150 tables which we were gobsmacked with. We couldn't believe what was happening."

The idea to get into the industry spawned as Stuart enjoyed making a homemade curry that he would often pass out to neighbours, family and friends.

It was a dish that he was well known for and when the prospect of starting a business where it could be sold was a case of "right place and right time" according to Stuart.

And it has also become a family business where both of the family's children work in the coffee shop too - along with a family friend, Amy.

Larissa, 16, and James,15, help serve customers and have "enjoyed" building the business with their parents.

Stuart went on to say: "My daughter, she's just leaving school, and James has got maybe another four months and he'll be away from school.

"So we thought, well, if it takes off and the two enjoy it then why not?

"Amy also works at the front of the house, who we have known for over 15 years, and she works alongside Donna helping do the meeting and greeting as well as the coffee.

"It has all been surreal.

"Monday (April 1), we had three customers since we had opened and that worried us but by 11.30am it was rammed.

"I actually thought we were going to run out of chips."

The couple took to Facebook to share their thoughts over the weekend as they revealed that more items would be added to the menu starting Friday, April 5. 

Donna and Stuart both shared their appreciation to the community as they thanked everyone who helped them open.

A special thanks went to Ross Murdoch, who previously owned the business, and Coffee Roasters Scotland and chloebakescakes who helped resupply at short notice over the weekend.

They said: "We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along this weekend to support us, and to those who helped along the way.

"We greatly appreciate it.

"Please if you have not had the time to visit over this holiday weekend, then please try and do so soon and I can promise you that you will not be disappointed."