In a weekly feature, we profile and champion a fascinating shop or company doing business here in Islington. This week, we made a long overdue visit to popular Essex Road bakery Raab’s.

Islington Gazette: Raab's The Bakers in Essex Road. Picture: Valentina CiprianiRaab's The Bakers in Essex Road. Picture: Valentina Cipriani (Image: Archant)

Essex Road favourite Raab’s has been baking bread and cakes for 70 years. The shop opened in Dalston back in 1948, then moved to Islington in the 1970s – and has been there ever since.

Unsurprisingly, it has built up quite the circle of loyal clients.

“A very high proportion of our customers are regulars,” Michele Rabb told the Gazette. “They used to come here with their parents, and now they bring their own children.”

The family business was originally set up by her husband’s father, who is now retired. His sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren run it today. Their selection of breads and cakes is a mix of local and international.

“People like traditional recipes, such as the cheesecake or the Tottenham cake, but they also like to keep up to date and to try new things out.

“Everything is made here. We believe that if it’s how we would like it to be, than our customers will think the same.”