Customer Showcase: Tracks E7
In the first of our series of Black Forest Beer customer showcases, we are thrilled to be putting the spotlight on Tracks Bar, Deli & Off-Licence in Forest Gate in East London. Words by Tracks’ co-founder, Aiden d'Araujo.
What's the story behind how your business started?
Our first incarnation was actually as a record store – Ransom Note Records – serving as an extension of our online music magazine Ransom Note . We talked about opening a temporary pop-up record shop for sometime then spontaneously took over a railway arch deep in the outer reaches London's east end in Forest Gate back in December 2017.
The shop stock was a carefully curated cache of dance music from Planet Earth encompassing the foundations of house, techno, electro, disco, Italo and Hi-NRG complete with our own Ransom Note Records label.
Half a year later we were offered to take over a bar and restaurant a few arches down so moved overnight our Ransom Note Records record shop out of Arch 432 to Arch 437 evolving into a bar, restaurant and record emporium under the umbrella Tracks.
What do you specialise in / what have you become best known for?
Since opening our Forest Gate bar, restaurant and record emporium, Tracks, in June 2018, it's grown from being a labour of love to an established neighbourhood hangout serving contemporary cuisine, an expansive drinks menu with local and international beer and a carefully curated record selection.
We also collaborate with many local artists in hosting a diverse program of events encompassing live music, poetry and workshops plus are proud of our partnership with the Forest Gayte Pride community in hosting LGBTQ+ events in our safe space so have evolved into being a social hub serving our Forest Gate family and extended community.
Please describe your location to us.
Forest Gate is like a lil’ village and is home to an amazing community who are fiercely loyal and have been so supportive since we set up shop – they really are the local lifeblood and beating heart of East London!
In terms of our premises we’re housed in a railway arch with neighbours including MBOX boxing gym, The Reformery pilates studio and Scandinavian café, Tromso, so surrounded by more independent small businesses run by like-minded souls.
How have you had to adapt in light of COVID-19?
As a consequence of COVID-19 we adapted our business to trade as a deli, grocery and off-licence by building a new website and offering a click & collect service.
During the peak of the pandemic we also set-up a Patreon campaign so our customers could support us whilst we were on temporary shutdown and we’ve been overwhelmed with the response with nearly 100 patrons now supporting our station bar!
Which drinks do you purchase through Black Forest Beers?
We approached Black Forest Beers last year to source the Rothaus ‘Alkoholfrei’ range as we felt there was a gap in the market to serve an alcohol-free alternative with no compromise in taste.
Both the non-alcohol Pils and wheat beer were an instant hit so we also introduced the Rothaus Pils on tap which fast became a firm favourite and is now our flagship beer. Whilst we could only trade as a takeaway during lockdown we expanded our Rothaus bottled beer selection so our Tracks takeout fridge now stocks the whole range including the:
Tannenzaepfle Pils
Maedle Naturtrub
Hefe Weizen Zaepfle
Eisaepfle
Radler
Pils Alcoholfrei
Hefeweizen Alcoholfrei
What's your favourite from the Rothaus range?
The latest in the Rothaus range — the Maedle Naturtrub — is a Team Tracks top tipple. It’s light with a smooth, crisp finish. Can’t go wrong with a Rothaus Pils party keg too!
How do people visit you?
We’re a stones throw from East London’s major transport hub, Stratford, with Forest Gate being just two mins away on the TFL rail. From Forest Gate station we’re just a five-min walk and also a five-min waltz from Wanstead Park station near the iconic Wanstead Flats.
Nearest parking is Avenue Road and Cranmer Road but as walkable distance for our locals and near great transport link we recommend you leave the car at home to you save on your carbon footprint and can enjoy the perfect pint of Rothaus!
Address: Tracks, Arch 437, Cranmer Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0JN
Opening hours (as of August 2020): Mon/Tues/Weds 12-5, Thurs/Fri/Sat 11-9, Sun 11-7
Website: trackse7.com
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