Previously known as the Muirhead Café, the premises have become the home of the Soaves’ Scots-Italian ice-cream empire, with their factory and offices situated behind.
Save for refurbishments – including two in quick succession in 2008/9 due to a fire – it’s remained a rock of homely familiarity and hearty dependability for the local community and beyond ever since.
The Soave family originated from the town of Cassino, not far from Rome. Like many Italians of the same generation, the family made the decision to go in search of a better life, and in 1914 emigrated to the “sunnier climes” of Scotland!
The family cafe and Ice Cream business began in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, and remained there during the first half of the century.
In the early 1950’s, “Uncle Angie” purchased ‘Muirhead Cafe’, and it is on this same site that Eric Soave, having taken over the mantle of his much loved uncle in 1972, later constructed a modern plant from which he continues to produce the award winning ice cream.
Link: Caffe Soave. Use browser back key to return to site.