Kendisha Hall-Prentice received a God given vision which she worked hard to ensure became a reality.
Located along the roadside in the heart of West End Village, perched beautifully on a hill, once stood a vintage, charming, rustic treasure that very few people noticed. From the moment Kendisha laid eyes on this beautiful structure she was fascinated by its potential. She saw the value that it could add to the tourism product of Anguilla while also improving the roadside aesthetics of the tourism belt.
A consummate hospitality professional and visionary, this was not the only thing she envisioned. Kendisha also saw an opportunity to capture a niche market and create meaningful dining experiences through tasty food, excellent service, and good vibes. She recognized that there were several options for lunch and dinner on the western part of the island, but modern and chic breakfast options were limited to hotels. With many standalone properties, apartments, villas, and locals who frequent West End, she knew she possessed the skills, expertise and will to fill the need for an excellent breakfast spot.
Kendisha was successful in securing the location and desired a name that matched her vision for the property. She pictured the rustic charm of the building paired with the type of restaurant (café), and the grinding of fresh coffee beans and it led her to a fitting name for her business. With prayer, faith, discipline and dedication, The Mill House Café opened its door on July 4th, 2022.
The Mill House Café is an independently owned and operated restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and tapas. Other services include catering, venue space rental and hosting celebrations. The café is located on the right shortly after Belmond Cap Juluca’s junction and is open six days a week. It is closed on Mondays.
The target market consists of locals, tourists and businesspersons who desire an enjoyable and satisfying dining experience. The Mill House Café is a place where family and friends gather for comfort food and laughs, business professionals gather for breakfast or lunch meetings, persons work remotely and sip on coffee, the goal achiever treats themselves and the person on the go pops in for their takeout order, fresh pastries, and coffee.
Mill House Café’s scrumptious menu caters to vegan, keto and health-conscious needs and those customers wanting to indulge in an amazing gastronomical experience. At The Mill House, they do not just sell food, they sell a culinary experience.
The restaurant’s brand objective is to create a strong brand identity, develop customer loyalty, demonstrate to customers commitment to meeting and exceeding their culinary needs, and build a Mill House family of employees and customers.
What sets Mill House Café apart from other brands/businesses is its uniqueness and how it has been positioned to provide high quality friendly service and excellent food and beverages at an attractive price for its location. It feels like home for customers as staff make a special effort to get to know and remember customers and give personalized and mindful service.
Kendisha is grateful to the Department of Youth and Culture’s ‘Get Set’ program for their extensive courses and training which complimented her Bachelor of Business Arts degree in Hospitality with a Minor in Marketing. She shared, “I see myself as a better manager of human resources, finances and an overall professional.”
Her top business tip that she lives by is the bible verse James 2:17. She shared, “You must be willing to put in the work.”
Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is profound. “Everyone will not share or understand your vision. Do not be discouraged; push through until it is no longer a vision but reality,” she said.
To reach and interact with their valuable customers, Mill House Café has employed marketing strategies and tools such as seasonal promotions, email correspondence, active Instagram and Facebook posts and polls and membership with the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI).
In 10 years, Kendisha envisions that the Mill House Café will be a highly rated Café brand with at least two more outlets throughout Anguilla.
Opening the Mill House Café was in keeping with Kendisha’s passion for tourism and Hospitality and her desire to add to Anguilla’s tourism product and to enhance the experience of locals and visitors. Kendisha has worked in hospitality for almost 20 years. She is currently a graduate teacher at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS). She is passionate about young people and started the “We Love Hospitality Club.’ Students in the club benefit from local, regional, and international educational excursions. She gives them the opportunity to compare the tourism product of the various countries to Anguilla and encourages students to pay special attention to best practices observed or taught at their seminars. She encourages students to implement the knowledge, experiences, and best practices in Anguilla. She has indeed set an example of what is possible with the Mill House Café.
In her final words Kendisha shared, “I am immensely proud to add such a remarkable business to the business community and contribute to the further development of Anguilla’s Tourism Product in ‘our Manhattan’ as my husband calls West End. My journey has been filled with a myriad of mixed emotions, learning experiences, teachable moments, and personal and professional development. Thanks to all who have already supported us and if you have not yet visited, remember “We don’t just serve food, we provide a memorable culinary experience.”
Follow The Mill House Café on Facebook and Instagram: @themillhousecafe.axa
Email: themillhousecafe.axa@gmail.com
Tel: 1-264-235-6455
Article written by Shellecia Brooks-Johnson
