I came across this thread whilst looking for another post. I live in Felixstowe. I met the owner of the kiosk whilst she was still setting it up, two years ago. She came across as friendly, but quite inquisitive, and it wasn't until later, that I realised the questions she asked me were actually quite intrusive, and the kinds of things you would never ask a stranger.
For the people who aren't sure what sort of business it is, it's a kiosk that sells cakes, coffee and ice creams, along with sausage rolls that the owner buys pre-made from a local lady, that she then 'cooks' on the day. She sets out metal cafe style tables and chairs on the paving in front of her kiosk, but she also takes over the picnic tables next to it, and puts her tables up against the public benches as well, so that you can't sit on them. It's one of two kiosks, in a public area, next to a children's play area, and the beach. Therefore, you should expect to occasionally hear tired kids having a bit of a wail.
I've witnessed the owner's bad attitude on many occasions, both in real life, and from comments from others that she's then deleted. She's been rude to staff and customers alike, but often gets away with it, because people have been too shocked to complain further.
A few moments of note
- She told two little boys off for looking through her toy box, because they were in her way when they were checking it out. She'd placed it by the door of the kiosk, so of course it was in the way, but when the dad of the little ones asked could it be moved away from her pathway, she told him in quite a brusque manner, no.
- Last year someone mentioned that they enjoyed the food, but that they'd been spoken down to when they'd asked could the bowl of dog treats that were left on the floor at the ordering point be moved away, so that it didn't tease dogs that weren't allowed them. She said no to that, was quite rude, and said that the customer in question should learn to control her dog. The customer is a local lady who trains puppies as guide dogs, so she's pretty well versed in controlling dogs. The lady with the puppy was told she needn't bother to visit again.
- On at least three occasions, she's cooked up extra sausage rolls, and then posted quite angry, accusatory messages that hardly anyone turned up, so she had to bin the food, complete with photos of it in the bin. When asked why she couldn't give it away instead, whether to passing fishermen, or local charities, she suddenly declared that she does give spare food to charity, though that hasn't explained the food in the bin photos.
- I've seen her tell people off, quite sharply for being vegetarian, and for asking for sweeteners instead of sugar.
- And just a month or so ago, she deleted a post where someone mentioned that she'd embarrassed her family, when coming out to tell her son that he was upsetting other customers. Some people who'd been there at the time mentioned that they weren't bothered at all. The owner said it was her duty to tell people to be quiet, and told the family not to go again.
As for people forgetting about the story and popping there tomorrow, or the next day for an ice cream, I don't think it will happen. There's a much nicer lady, in the kiosk which is 10 feet closer to the park, who sells some too. I hope she has a blooming marvellous time making extra money.
I did note on reading through the comments that some people think she's lost her business through her poor choice of comments. She was already selling it, so she hasn't been deprived of her livelihood by a witch hunt.
Part of why this all has been shared so widely, was that someone commented that maybe the 2 year old was disabled and couldn't help themselves. She replied to that with a firm determination that the child most definitely wasn't disabled. Of course, we all know that you can spot disabilities in a heartbeat whilst serving cake, it's a well-known ability.