In Verkhnedvinsk, an updated cafe has opened under the same roof as the consumer cooperative's confectionery workshop

This establishment is a gift from cooperators for the city's 630th anniversary, which the district center celebrated last month. In just a few months, the unattractive single-story building has been completely transformed. A bright sign – "Zhar-Pizza" – attracts local residents and guests. Inside, visitors will be delighted by the stylish interior, comfortable tables, beautiful lighting, and a diverse menu. Friendly staff are ready to offer a selection of pastries, desserts, cakes, and fresh buns, which are baked right here – just behind the wall.

– Two years ago, when developing the district consumer union's development strategy, we identified production as one of the main areas. The task was set to operate profitably and with high quality. A corresponding program was approved, which, in particular, included the reconstruction of the confectionery workshop. We purchased a modern bakery oven and new dough mixing equipment, which allowed us to expand our product range, – explains Irina Tomashevich, Chairperson of the Board of the Verkhnedvinsk District Consumer Union.

The workshop produces 50 types of products daily. Local residents particularly love the "Verkhnedvinsky" bread, baked from wheat and rye flour with the addition of caraway seeds.

– It complements our signature product – salo with caraway seeds, which has become a kind of culinary brand of the district center. We also produce "Polsky" and "Classic" bread, Viennese pies, yogurt mini-pastries, tartlets with tropical fruits, and much more. People like it, – says Natalia Fedorova, technologist of the confectionery workshop.

And, of course, the menu always includes the dish that gave the establishment its name – pizza, which is prepared with various fillings and served piping hot. Irina Tomashevich notes with satisfaction that the cafe has become a family-friendly place. Many people come here with their children. Specifically for their young visitors, the district consumer union employees have equipped a children's playground and purchased a trampoline. It has been frequented by toddlers from neighboring houses.

– I must admit, we didn't expect the cafe to be used for banquets, weddings, and alumni meetings. But people say that it is very cozy here and they want to sit in small groups,

to note, – says Irina Anatolyevna.

And she adds that the idea to modernize this establishment came after the reconstruction of another one, located near the city square. The "culinary dive," as it was called by the people, was re-equipped into a modern coffee shop in February of this year, and a couple of months later it became very popular.

– Many people at first do not believe that this is an object of our consumer cooperative. They think it belongs to a foreign private owner. But we thought that in the Year of Culture, we should promote the culture of public catering. It is pleasant that young people, residents of the district visiting the city (there is a bus station nearby), and guests from other regions visit the coffee shop, – notes Irina Tomashevich with pride.

In the near future, they plan to re-equip the cafe in Bigosovo. The youth of this settlement approached the consumer cooperative with such a request. It will retain its former name "Nesterka," but the "filling" will be different. According to the cooperators, the interior will change, two functional zones will appear, separated by arches, and most importantly, it will be a decent establishment that meets the demands of visitors. They plan to open it on August 30 – by the beginning of the new academic year. So, after the first classes, schoolchildren will be able to visit the cafe and enjoy pastries made in the morning by Verkhnedvinsk confectioners.

Tatyana Pasternak. Photos by Anton Stepanishchev. "Vitebskiye vesti".