Tucked away behind the Apollo, ARMR Store is probably Ardwick’s best kept secret, a Caribbean Café and Health Food shop that’s so much more than both of those things, and has become a real community hub over the last year or so.
Set up back in March 2019, ARMR Store was a reaction to the heavily “commercial” health shops on the UK high street, and a chance for owner Raph to create a community destination, café and store that would appeal to locals.
As a result, ARMR now specialises in 100% Plant-based Caribbean cuisine, alongside health products which are around 60% Manchester owned – stocking only independents and giving back to the community wherever they can.
When the COVID pandemic hit in March 2020, ARMR was at the forefront of delivering healthy plant-based meals to the elderly and isolated in the community, and they became regular contributors at pop-ups including the Community Kitchen on the Square at Great Northern.
They continued to work with community projects throughout the pandemic, and since re-opening now that it’s (supposedly) all over – ARMR has become a community hub, a place where the people of Ardwick, Gorton and Longsight can go to grab some absolutely stunning Caribbean dishes and also have access to workshops, local art and more.
Jackfruit Split
It’s at this point where we fawn over the dishes that we tried when we went down to ARMR last week, because let me tell you – they were outstanding. We went for the Jackfruit Split, Jackfruit Burger and the Red Pea Soup – all absolutely sublime. We also devoured a mixed Platter, which gives you the choice of two main meals with fried dumplings, slaw, avocado and kachumba salad.
In addition to the dishes, you can also treat yourself to specialty coffee and teas, smoothies, milkshakes and healthy slushies – all made in-house right in front of your eyes.
Mixed Platter
Everything about ARMR just oozes commitment and love, it’s a community space, its a café, its a health food shop, its an art gallery, and it’s all of these things plus much, much more.
It aims to bridge the gap between individuals and the community, by “cutting the red tape”, as Raph puts it – giving back whilst also providing a platform for the city’s creatives and independents to reach a wider audience.
Get yourself down to Ardwick ASAP to check out ARMR and make sure you go on a Wednesday – that’s Split day!
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