Edinburgh mum follows her dream to open 'old school' cafe and takeaway

An Edinburgh mum has followed her dream of opening up her very own cafe.

Emma Laing, 52, will be opening Queen of Hearts on Monday, April 6 in the heart of Gorgie and says it has been a long time coming. Specialising in sandwiches, Emma will also be baking her own cakes, traybakes and pies.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she said: "It was an idea I've had for years and I've been searching for a commercial property for so long, but nothing was ever the right fit.

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"Then this place in Gorgie came up and everything fell into place. I've always spent time in the kitchen at home, baking the kids' school lunches and now baking cakes for the family. It seemed right that I open my own place.

"My children are all grown up now, I even have grandchildren, so it's my time to do something for me."

She added: "My family are so supportive. My two daughters own a salon and I've been helping them out there. I'm sure they will miss me.

"I was inspired by other cafes around Edinburgh too, Chums and Bams down in Leith, the Bald Baker and the Bonny Barista. I love what they do and I wanted to make something like that. The Queens of Hearts will serve your classic sandwiches and breakfast rolls as well as old-school things like stovies, pies and Bovril. I also want to do pot noodles for the kids at school."

Queen of Hearts will be open Monday to Friday and Emma plans on opening on Hearts match days and as a self-proclaimed Swiftie, she will open the shop for Taylor Swift's gigs at Murrayfield.

She added: "I'm overwhelmed. I'll be baking all day on Sunday to get ready for Monday, but I am really excited. It has been a dream for so long."

Queen of Hearts will be open from 7.30am - 3pm Monday - Friday at 173 Gorgie Road.

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