Jan DSaSt. Albans, UK: One of the places I come to eat when I visit St. Albans is the Waffles House, right opposite to the green Verulamium Park. I have written extensively about various aspects of life in St. Albans, such as a photo essay, music from the UK and from the American Indians, Â art, pottery, Â a hotel review and more, but the annual visit always helps me see things with fresh eyes.
One of the reasons I wanted to do a review on the Waffle House is first, the waffles are so delicious. Secondly, the business has found its niche. And has no competition. So if you want a sweet waffle, or a savoury waffle, a stand-alone waffle, or a cream laden waffle you will find it at the Waffle House.
Second, even if they do get competition, well, their USP is what keeps them unique – quality, great services, lovely use of the old mill, great location. And well, if you have eaten more than you were meant to, the park is just round the corner, so that you can work them waffles away!
So, don’t be afraid to find your niche that embraces what your USP is, when it comes to your business. Buried in your USP is your passion for what ignites you. For example, whenever I take part at the ARTE fairs in Dubai, passersby roll their eyes and say, “There is too much of jewelry.†Sure there is, but have they taken the time to actually have a look and see that each jewelry artisan specializes in a particular technique. There were a handful of crochet jewelers at the last ARTE fair, but the point is that each of us used a particular branch of crochet to work our jewelry. I loved using wire while the others tended towards fine thread and wools. Even if they were to use wire, their inspiration could be something very different. My inspiration is mostly driven by my love for Islamic architecture and motifs.
And so what if there is competition – I for one, don’t find the crochet techniques that they use appealing. It could be vice versa too. So be unique, be different, be passionate, be connected with yourself and you will find that, like the Waffle house, you are unbeatable.
It’s back to the Waffle House; it looks like it was not only us humans waiting for some waffle attention. The ducks were waiting for our attention, while we waited in a queue (yes you have to stand in the queue, that shows how busy the restaurant gets).
The Waffle House is situated in an old mill, so for a tourist such as myself, that is quite a novel way of presenting and placing ones business.
The river runs under the mill. And the ducks make use of this watery alley way to come and greet us while we stand in the queue. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
The river runs under the mill. And the ducks make use of this watery alley way to come and greet us while we stand in the queue. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
An old time piece on the wall. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
An old time piece on the wall. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
An old time piece on the wall. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
My main course was a waffle with some naughty stuff such as nachos and cheese. But there was also some good stuff, such as the guacamole and veggies. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa, 2011
This was my dessert, more waffles with banana and the evil double whipped cream. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa, 2011
History of the Mill. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
The mill wheel is not in use. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
Close up of the mill wheel. It feels sad that it’s not in use, but I’m glad they found a good use to the place, i.e. making waffles! Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
The physiology of the mill. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
Yes, Waffle House you will see me next year in the summer! Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa 2011
And here questions of type such if honestly strike me not much as I wrote everything higher. It is visible you simply you don’t want to read all this. As my parrot does.