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Business Profile...
Each month MOVETO & Essential Pafos takes an in depth
look at a different business serving the pafos community.
This month we take a closer look at ...
YOU KAY's
Each month MOVETO & Essential Pafos takes an in depth
look at a different business serving the pafos community.
This month we take a closer look at ...
YOU KAY's
WIGIG - in other words, "When It's Gone, It's Gone!" We all
know that famous slogan from TV by now, and nothing
could be truer at YouKay's, near the Evangelismos Hospital
in Pafos. Owned by Stan and Tracey Kay, this place is an
Aladdin's cave full of imported British food, toiletries,
greetings cards - and more.
But how did it all start? Stan and Tracey bought a 2
bedroom townhouse as a holiday home in Kato Pafos 4
years ago - with no intension of living here at all - but how
things changed! Tracey wanted to move to Australia, but it
was too far from family and friends. Stan wanted to move to
Cyprus because it was much closer and they already had a
home here. No prizes for guessing who won!
Stan had been a market trader for over 20 years and owned
7 stalls scattered across Essex and London. Certainly an
early riser and not afraid of hard work, he deserved the
success he achieved. Frequently starting work at 4:30am
and working in cold, wet, windy and freezing conditions in
the UK winter, it wouldn't be everyone's ideal occupation.
Tracey had previously worked in import / export, and then
moved on to trade financing and banking. So they had the
perfect combination to open the business.
But what really triggered it all? Their two lovely children had
something to do with it. Joe, aged 12, and Francesca, aged
9 used to go shopping with them when they were over here
on holiday, but the kid's didn't really like many of the local
products. In particular, they didn't like the local tomato
sauce - they preferred Heinz - that well known brand from
the UK. Well, this happened with a few more items, so Stan
and Tracey started thinking. With Stan's background and all
his contacts back in the UK, they decided they'd open a
business importing British food items at very competitive
prices.
know that famous slogan from TV by now, and nothing
could be truer at YouKay's, near the Evangelismos Hospital
in Pafos. Owned by Stan and Tracey Kay, this place is an
Aladdin's cave full of imported British food, toiletries,
greetings cards - and more.
But how did it all start? Stan and Tracey bought a 2
bedroom townhouse as a holiday home in Kato Pafos 4
years ago - with no intension of living here at all - but how
things changed! Tracey wanted to move to Australia, but it
was too far from family and friends. Stan wanted to move to
Cyprus because it was much closer and they already had a
home here. No prizes for guessing who won!
Stan had been a market trader for over 20 years and owned
7 stalls scattered across Essex and London. Certainly an
early riser and not afraid of hard work, he deserved the
success he achieved. Frequently starting work at 4:30am
and working in cold, wet, windy and freezing conditions in
the UK winter, it wouldn't be everyone's ideal occupation.
Tracey had previously worked in import / export, and then
moved on to trade financing and banking. So they had the
perfect combination to open the business.
But what really triggered it all? Their two lovely children had
something to do with it. Joe, aged 12, and Francesca, aged
9 used to go shopping with them when they were over here
on holiday, but the kid's didn't really like many of the local
products. In particular, they didn't like the local tomato
sauce - they preferred Heinz - that well known brand from
the UK. Well, this happened with a few more items, so Stan
and Tracey started thinking. With Stan's background and all
his contacts back in the UK, they decided they'd open a
business importing British food items at very competitive
prices.
So then their mission really started. The children were left
back home in the UK, while Stan and Tracey came to Pafos
for a week's fact-finding. Back then, there were no shop
units available. Undeterred, they decided when they
returned later for Joe and Francesca's school entrance
examinations, they'd try again. Well, with all hope almost
exhausted, at 8am on the day they were due to fly back
home, they found their first shop. That was it. With barely
anytime to spare, they rushed from pillar to post to secure it,
boarded the plane and reality hit - what had they done!
With the initial shock over, the came the challenge of
deciding what to call their new business. At the time, they
has to have their surname in the company name, so on the
plane, they decided to bounce ideas around. Stan finally
came up with "You Kay's" (with the slant being for UK
customers) and the company was born.
You Kay's opened in February 2007. They were very
conscientious about how the locals would receive them, but
they needn't have worried. All nationalities, including the
Cypriot community, are now amongst their customers.
Thinking that business would be very slow to begin with,
they placed just one advert in the local newspaper. On
opening day, there was a long queue outside, and Tracey
was inside the shop sinking! Stock was limited, things still
weren't unpacked - they just weren't expecting such an
amazing response.
Tracey's vision for the start of business was that there
would just be a few customers. She thought she would have
time to sit outside the shop making cards when they weren't
busy - she's an expert at calligraphy. The idea was that she
would show others her skills while enjoying a coffee with
them. But things just snowballed. Not surprisingly, You
Kay's were well supported by not only the ex-pat
community, but also the locals - so they had to rapidly move
to larger premises
back home in the UK, while Stan and Tracey came to Pafos
for a week's fact-finding. Back then, there were no shop
units available. Undeterred, they decided when they
returned later for Joe and Francesca's school entrance
examinations, they'd try again. Well, with all hope almost
exhausted, at 8am on the day they were due to fly back
home, they found their first shop. That was it. With barely
anytime to spare, they rushed from pillar to post to secure it,
boarded the plane and reality hit - what had they done!
With the initial shock over, the came the challenge of
deciding what to call their new business. At the time, they
has to have their surname in the company name, so on the
plane, they decided to bounce ideas around. Stan finally
came up with "You Kay's" (with the slant being for UK
customers) and the company was born.
You Kay's opened in February 2007. They were very
conscientious about how the locals would receive them, but
they needn't have worried. All nationalities, including the
Cypriot community, are now amongst their customers.
Thinking that business would be very slow to begin with,
they placed just one advert in the local newspaper. On
opening day, there was a long queue outside, and Tracey
was inside the shop sinking! Stock was limited, things still
weren't unpacked - they just weren't expecting such an
amazing response.
Tracey's vision for the start of business was that there
would just be a few customers. She thought she would have
time to sit outside the shop making cards when they weren't
busy - she's an expert at calligraphy. The idea was that she
would show others her skills while enjoying a coffee with
them. But things just snowballed. Not surprisingly, You
Kay's were well supported by not only the ex-pat
community, but also the locals - so they had to rapidly move
to larger premises
Stan and Tracey have a warm relationship with all their customers - so much so, that it was thanks to one of them that their
new premises were found. They received a telephone call saying that an antiques shop near the Evangelismos Hospital
was available - so they leapt at it, and now the business is a huge success.
Although they employ staff, both Joe and Francesca help their mum and dad in the business. Even though she is only 9
years old, Francesca helps mark up the stock and is an expert with the pricing gun! All goods in the also have to be labelled
in Greek, so that's a task in itself. Joe gets involved in the more manly things, including going up and down ladders in the
shop and helping put out the stock.
Apart their loyal Pafos following, customers now come from far and wide, all over the island - including the North - to stock
up on their favourite UK brands.
Just recently, You Kay's provided 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment at Episkopi with goody bags for their
journeys to Afghanistan. And they support many charities too. Every month a hamper or a voucher is donated to a local
cause.
There's a special atmosphere in their shop. It's become a bit of a meeting place - and it's not unusual to find customers
spending half and hour or so chatting when they meet up with friends while shopping. And customers of all ages turn up.
Daisy, who is 92 years young, visits them regularly. Stan mentioned, "Another customer, who is 69 years old, arrived at the
shop when a container had just been delivered. He asked me if there were any tins of new potatoes inside. Well, there were,
but no-one knew exactly where." Stan continued, "He then proceeded to help unload the container - and 4 hours later, he
was still there - despite having found his tins on new potatoes! He just enjoyed helping - and that's the kind of relationship
we have with our customers."
How about expansion plans? Well, if the right people came along, Stan and Tracey would consider franchising. Now there's
food for thought....
You Kay's always have plenty of offers; some are restricted, in order for as many customers as possible to enjoy them. But
new stock is arriving all the time - and value for money is the name of the game.
What do they like most about running their business in Pafos? Apart from meeting so many different people from all walks
of life, Stan really enjoys it when a new load arrives from the UK. He likes to hear the comments and see the smiles on the
faces of happy customers when the new stock is put out.
Christmas is coming, and You Kay's won't disappoint you. Diets need to go out of the window though, with lots chocolates
due - including Cadbury's Roses, Quality Street, Celebrations, Heroes and Terry's Chocolate Oranges to name but a few.
And of course Christmas cards, wrapping paper, diaries, books and calenders. Not forgetting Christmas puddings, mince
pies, Christmas cakes, liqueurs, nuts and more!
You Kay's were the first British family run importers in Pafos and it's easy to see why they are so popular. As Stan says,
"We must be doing something right, customers keep on returning." He continued, "They chose to come to us, and we are
always pleased to see them."
You Kay's often have goodies to try at the counter - the portions of Dundee Cake went faster than the speed of light. So
why not go and meet Stan and Tracey - but don't forget - " WIGIG - When It's Gone, It's Gone!"
new premises were found. They received a telephone call saying that an antiques shop near the Evangelismos Hospital
was available - so they leapt at it, and now the business is a huge success.
Although they employ staff, both Joe and Francesca help their mum and dad in the business. Even though she is only 9
years old, Francesca helps mark up the stock and is an expert with the pricing gun! All goods in the also have to be labelled
in Greek, so that's a task in itself. Joe gets involved in the more manly things, including going up and down ladders in the
shop and helping put out the stock.
Apart their loyal Pafos following, customers now come from far and wide, all over the island - including the North - to stock
up on their favourite UK brands.
Just recently, You Kay's provided 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment at Episkopi with goody bags for their
journeys to Afghanistan. And they support many charities too. Every month a hamper or a voucher is donated to a local
cause.
There's a special atmosphere in their shop. It's become a bit of a meeting place - and it's not unusual to find customers
spending half and hour or so chatting when they meet up with friends while shopping. And customers of all ages turn up.
Daisy, who is 92 years young, visits them regularly. Stan mentioned, "Another customer, who is 69 years old, arrived at the
shop when a container had just been delivered. He asked me if there were any tins of new potatoes inside. Well, there were,
but no-one knew exactly where." Stan continued, "He then proceeded to help unload the container - and 4 hours later, he
was still there - despite having found his tins on new potatoes! He just enjoyed helping - and that's the kind of relationship
we have with our customers."
How about expansion plans? Well, if the right people came along, Stan and Tracey would consider franchising. Now there's
food for thought....
You Kay's always have plenty of offers; some are restricted, in order for as many customers as possible to enjoy them. But
new stock is arriving all the time - and value for money is the name of the game.
What do they like most about running their business in Pafos? Apart from meeting so many different people from all walks
of life, Stan really enjoys it when a new load arrives from the UK. He likes to hear the comments and see the smiles on the
faces of happy customers when the new stock is put out.
Christmas is coming, and You Kay's won't disappoint you. Diets need to go out of the window though, with lots chocolates
due - including Cadbury's Roses, Quality Street, Celebrations, Heroes and Terry's Chocolate Oranges to name but a few.
And of course Christmas cards, wrapping paper, diaries, books and calenders. Not forgetting Christmas puddings, mince
pies, Christmas cakes, liqueurs, nuts and more!
You Kay's were the first British family run importers in Pafos and it's easy to see why they are so popular. As Stan says,
"We must be doing something right, customers keep on returning." He continued, "They chose to come to us, and we are
always pleased to see them."
You Kay's often have goodies to try at the counter - the portions of Dundee Cake went faster than the speed of light. So
why not go and meet Stan and Tracey - but don't forget - " WIGIG - When It's Gone, It's Gone!"