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Not My Monkey at The Wharf, Newark celebrates its second anniversary




A popular coffee house by day and wine lounge by night has celebrated two years of business, laughs, and memories.

Not My Monkey coffee shop and wine lounge, as well as Inizio hair salon at The Wharf, Newark first opened its doors on February 3, 2023.

The hair salon and coffee shop /wine bar were created to be adaptable, with modern furniture that can be effortlessly moved to create extra bar space at night.

L-R Ange Crawley, Dora Sparks, Mia Fenton and owner, Kevin Guthrie. Not My Monkey
L-R Ange Crawley, Dora Sparks, Mia Fenton and owner, Kevin Guthrie. Not My Monkey

Shortly after the grand opening, owner Kevin Guthrie and his partner Les Jones also opened Air BnB The Old Office.

The name, Not My Monkey, originates from a Polish saying ‘not my circus, not my monkey’, which means to not be wrapped in negativity and live through positivity, a name which they proudly continue to carry.

The couple said that they were “incredibly happy” that the business is still growing, developing and as popular as when it started.

Kevin said: “We were going to open up a coffee shop that turned into a wine bar, and we were going to sell a few bottles of wine.

“And now it has turned into this, I don't want to call it a monster because that sounds mean, but it's a beast in its own right.

“It takes a lot of management and resources, but it's just incredible.

“We feel a little bit more mature, a little bit more knowledgeable, given that we were two people that knew nothing about hospitality, and excited to be releasing new plans and thinking about where we can take the place.”

Not My Monkey
Not My Monkey

When they first opened doors, the couple wanted to bring something that was missing in Newark and offer people different choices, with top-end products, luxury and ‘Londonish’ where they themselves would want to go.

Kevin added: “Two years in, I still see people piling through the door, and I'm thinking ‘Oh wow, we've got all these people arriving again’.

“It still surprises me when people arrive, but we are clearly popular at what we do, and we've provided people with something they really wanted, which is always very humbling and flattering.”

Kevin said that Not My Monkey's event Drag Bingo was one of his favourite memories, which has proved to be incredibly popular, as well as mediumship nights.

The business uses local suppliers for their produce, including Doncaster’s Butchers for their pie nights or wine from Ann et Vin, as well as hosting classes and community events.

Adding to the business’s busy days, every four weeks, there are art classes hosted by Gemma Ashcroft, which offer a peaceful and artistic atmosphere and activity.

The couple have thanked the community for their support, and promised “there's more to come”, with big plans and events coming up this year.

From March, Sweet Pea Florists will start doing floristry classes throughout the year.

On March 7 and 8, the business will host their first Nashville Country Weekend-inspired festival.



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