Magda and Monika share a love of people and a passion for making a difference in their community. They wanted to create a café offering something a little different: homemade food, a cheerful atmosphere and the kind of personal welcome that makes customers feel at home.
Monika graduated in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Sunderland (London), bringing her knowledge and experience to the business. Together, the cousins have built a place that reflects their personalities and their shared values.
Monika said: “We both love people. We wanted to create somewhere different, where everyone can find something they enjoy and, most importantly, feel welcome.”
As a Polish-Scottish family, Magda and Monika bring together flavours from both sides of their heritage. Their menu celebrates Polish traditions alongside Scottish favourites, with homemade food and cakes inspired by the baking they remember from their grandmothers: from Polish pierogi to Scottish pancakes!
For the cousins, food is about more than what is on the plate. It is about family, memories and sharing the flavours of home with others.
Magda explained: “We wanted to bring back the feeling of homemade food, like the cakes our grandmothers used to bake. Our menu brings together two cultures that mean so much to us.”
Magda and Monika believe that everyday life needs more happiness, positive energy and a little fun; something they aim to bring to every customer who walks through their door.
Monika added: “Our approach to hospitality is personal. It is about friendly conversations, familiar faces and creating a place where people feel comfortable returning time and time again.”
Giving back is an important part of life at Take a Break. The cousins support charitable causes, take part in community events and look for opportunities to contribute to the town they love.
They are equally committed to remaining independent. Rather than pursuing a chain of cafés, they want to nurture the special atmosphere they have created, continuing to improve the business while keeping its personal touch.
Magda said: “For us, success is about more than profit. It’s about supporting our community, bringing people together and making a positive difference to the people around us.”
A proud milestone for Take a Break was becoming finalists in the 14th edition of the Scottish Hospitality Entertainment Awards. The recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and passion the cousins put into their business.
While this achievement is worth celebrating, their focus remains on the people who make the café what it is: their customers, their community and everyone who supports their journey.
