At ZOOM we love to celebrate the creators and businesses that make life on the Sunshine Coast beautiful. We acknowledge that there are many factors to success, including a fair dose of luck and timing. Here we’d like to mention just a few of the businesses that are adapting and growing, despite these challenging times.
Many of the elements for success come together at BASTED BAKER: A central, walkable village location, small size, flexible outdoor space, and a small but consistent menu of high-quality, delicious options. Customers wait cheerfully for tables during busy weekend brunch times. Basted Baker’s goal has always been to become THE breakfast and brunch destination on the Sunshine Coast. Try the Huevos Rancheros and you’ll think they’ve knocked it out of the park.
BEACHCOMBER COFFEE has two convenient locations in Gibsons and supplies the coffee program at Basted Baker. Business was great over the summer, and everybody’s talking about their incredible vegan, baked, house-made donuts. Founder/CEO Martin DesRosiers says they’re happy to work with regular customers’ changing tastes. He notes that “in the last six months, we’ve converted a lot of Dark Roast Drip customers into Americano drinkers . . . We’re finding customers wanting to explore a bit more and expand their coffee palate.”
Beachcomber Coffee also has a terrific online store that offers coffees and teas and an array of cool merchandise like shirts, hats and mugs. Do they have thoughts of expanding? “Always! We have a few things in the works! We’re also looking for a part-time baker to spin off our Deadly Donuts company.” Donuts and coffee . . . a match made in heaven!
Restaurants have had to do a lot of adapting these past few years. Some places make it look easy, even though there’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes. All you will see are smiles when you drive by JOE’S ON THE BEACH in Davis Bay. They have managed to be responsive to changing conditions and to keep it cheerful. Founders Josh King and Mariano de Barba say the secret is teamwork and fun: “If it isn’t fun we won’t do it. We actually developed Joe’s from the inside out. We both knew that all businesses thrive from a happy team and that translates to the guest.”
Bright, beachy decor, drink specials, delicious food, and a spectacular location have made Joe’s extremely popular. Joe’s social media presence has allowed our community to be aware of initiatives at the restaurant and see that honesty works. Coasters are happy to support hard work and savvy decisions. Transparency within the organization is similarly effective. King and de Barba are convinced that happy, trusting staff makes all the difference: “Right from the beginning we involved our team. We run an open book company, and when we started, we put everything we had into the restaurant. We needed to trust the team and this approach helped create the Joe’s that everyone knows today.”
And they’re expanding! Watch for JOE’S CABIN in Lower Gibsons, where they are sure to make their mark with a fun, casual vibe and great food. It’s a big step, and they thought long and hard about the opportunity: “We knew that we could do something special in Gibsons, but if we took it, we would need to forge our own path just like we did in Davis Bay. A modern tavern, serving seriously unfussy food and drink.” We can’t wait.
PERSEPHONE BREWING COMPANY in Gibsons has a unique, multi-faceted approach to growth. This includes amazing products, a diverse and growing body of shareholders, a commitment to generative agriculture and to local food security, and community events such as film screenings, harvest dinners, and a popular speaker series. It’s about being embedded and fostering community involvement. David Schneider, Sales and Marketing Director, says their unique ownership model “gives us strength and security. We are currently in the middle of another shareholder fundraising campaign, selling share packages starting at just $100.”
Persephone has seized an opportunity to expand and deepen their presence on the Sunshine Coast. They have recently acquired and taken over operations at WESTVIEW BILLIARDS & BOWLING and STRIKERS BAR & GRILL in Powell River/qathet. It’s a bold and exciting move, but Schneider says they are sensitive to the community and will take things slowly: “While we have lots of ideas, we aren’t making any big changes too quickly. These businesses have been a part of Powell River for generations, and we want to hear from the community before going beyond minor upgrades. More craft beverages, an improved menu, and live music are in the works.”
The WEST COAST WILDERNESS LODGE has been knocking the socks off visitors from its semi-remote location in stunning Egmont for many years. WCWL offers an array of accommodation, fabulous dining, and a thrilling list of adventure activities, all in an oceanside setting with incredible views. With kayak, Zodiak, and float plane tours, jet skiing, hiking, and biking, plus trips to local lakes and an award-winning restaurant, WCWL is a one stop shop for both luxury and adventure. Packages include overnight stays, activities, and a guaranteed reservation for a sumptuous dinner at Inlets restaurant. Summers at WCWL are always busy with weddings. Winters are for staff to get some rest, and for planning and expanding. Owner/operator Paul Hansen knows that staff are the key to the warm welcome and safe adventuring that guests come for: “We have always worked to provide our staff with what we believe is a great environment to work in, and we prioritize them as much as we can.”
WCWL sees more opportunity in the area, and there are big plans to make the most of it.
The lodge is converting the old Egmont Fish Plant into a brand-new ADVENTURE CENTRE that will offer excursions such as boat tours. This is in addition to Bioluminescence and Day-Long Kayak tours, and a small fleet of Seadoos. The Adventure Centre will have a large event space for weddings and corporate retreats. WCWL is also building 20 new ocean-view units on the bluff above. These will be fully appointed, condo-like, for guests who prefer to self-cater, or for winter months when dining options are limited. Hanson believes this will boost the entire region: “We plan to utilize the natural beauty of Egmont to bring more tourists to our area, which will not only help us grow but also help many of the businesses around us, with whom we share common goals, to expand.”
More adventure, more luxury, more accommodation choices, and an expanded season. It all contributes to making the Sunshine Coast experience more beautiful.
